Pour Out Your Heart, Mama
“Perhaps the pouring out shouldn’t be seen as an act of burdening God with our mess, but as an act of worshipping Him.”
“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NLT
We’ve all been there - replaying the day after the prayers have been said, the lights have gone off, the doors have been shut - and the only sound left in the house is the sound of the enemy reminding you how many times you failed today.
“I could have been so much more patient…why did I respond to them like that…why did I rush through this moment - I’m missing it…why do I always sin like this…why can’t I be better for them?”
The word “refuge” infers that there is hardship in your life and you’re in need of a place where you feel safe and comforted. If you’re anything like me, it can be all too easy to seek refuge in the friend group chat or a social media post. And while neither of those things are inherently wrong, we have a Wonderful Counselor who provides more refuge than either of those can give us. For Christian mothers God should be the first safe place we run to - He wants to be!
“Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” The word "pour” in this verse reminds me of another story of pouring that we see in the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was at the home of Lazarus a short time before the crucifixion. Matthew 26:7 NLT states, “While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.” Jesus welcomed this beautiful act of pouring as worship.
When I think of pouring something out, I think of emptying. When we pour out our hearts to God, we are emptying them of every thought and emotion that has been taking up room. We aren’t choosing just the neat and tidy prayers to present to Him, but the messy deep down ones that we replay after bedtime. He wants it all and He wants all of us.
Perhaps the pouring out shouldn’t be seen as an act of burdening God with our mess, but as an act of worshipping Him. When we run to Him as our safe place and pour out our hearts to Him, that is an act of love and trust. Think of your heart for your children. Do you only want to hear from them when they are having a good day and are free from troubles? Or when they are facing storms, do you want to hear what is on their heart and walk beside them to be a place of refuge? So is the heart of our Father for us!
When it’s been a hard day and your flesh has gotten the better of you - go to Him. When you look at those little faces and can’t help but just cry over His goodness to you - go to Him. Pour out your heart, Mama.
After reading today’s devotional, pray with me: Lord, thank You for the gift of my children. Please guide my steps to always run to You for refuge first, knowing that I can confidently pour out my heart to You in all situations. Amen.
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
How are you feeling this week? Pray through a Psalm that can put words to the feelings in your heart. Are you feeling thankful and joyful, sad or alone? God welcomes it all, and has given us the Psalms as a beautiful template. Flip through your Bible or try the Bible app to put the Word of God to what you may be feeling this week.
Wednesday:
Scripture reminds us to bring everything to God first with thanksgiving. Today, be intentional about thanking God for the blessings in your life. These can be big blessings like your kids or something that can easily be taken for granted like a beautiful sunset or a worship song that comes on at just the right time. Make a mental note, write them down, or take a picture and share with the online community or your friend group chat!
Thursday:
Pour out your heart to Him. Today, reflect on a hardship or question you have regarding your parenting, or just in general in your life, and bring it to the Lord in prayer. Don’t worry about having the perfect words or the perfect quiet time - talk to Him like the friend He is while you’re doing dishes, driving kids, or laying in bed, and ask for His guidance.
Written by Brianne, mom of 3
