I am tired. The noise and the tears and the bickering and the sick baby have brought me to my knees. I keep searching for quiet, but none is available. I have to just muddle through and make bedtime an hour early. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Ever feel this way? I know I do.
As a mom with Sensory Processing Disorder, it seems to happen more often than I care to admit. I have limitations to how much noise and chaos I can take. I can only be “on” for so long before the off switch flips and I’m on overload. And no matter how peaceful our home is on a typical day, there are plenty of atypical days when life is loud and difficult.
But even a mom without sensory issues, can find herself totally touched out when the day has been rough.
I’ve written before about the practical things you can do when you are touched out, but what can you do spiritually to refresh your soul and get back to a place where your nerves are no longer frazzled?
I like to follow Christ’s example and go off to pray whenever I can manage it, but sometimes I don’t have the opportunity to leave the situation, so I have to stay right where I am and take a deep breath and offer a prayer of desperation up to the Lord.
I remember hearing the story of how Susanna Wesley would pull her long apron over her head and pray. With a house full of children, often an apron prayer is all I can manage.
Apron Prayers for You
Let me share some verses about peace and refreshment in the Lord that can be memorized and then turned into your own Apron Prayers…
Ladies, it isn’t easy to work through those difficult days, otherwise they wouldn’t be difficult, but you have One who is bigger and greater than the chaos. Rest in Him and REJOICE!
Serenity says
Thank you for writing this. Saturday was one of those days for me. I am going to read this again next time I am overwhelmed 🙂
Amy says
Yesterday was one of those days for me. 😉
Alice says
Thank you! At this very moment, I am hiding in the kitchen, needing just this kind of input, and now I have read aloud the verses and prayers, I feel so much better! I so appreciate your outreach, Amy! 🙂
Amy says
You are so welcome! I know what it feels like and I know Who can make it better. 🙂
Kari says
This is perfect timing! Yesterday was one of those days for me. Spring break was ending, everyone was whining about everything, the baby’s fever was coming back. I was tired and frustrated and saddened by my kids attitudes. Luckily my husband was home and I disappeared for a while. But my attitude was bad for a little while afterwards. I told my husband being a parent at this stage is hard! Lol…Thanks for these prayers. I need to print these and keep them close!
Amy says
It is hard, Kari, but God doesn’t call us to do easy things (I have to tell myself that a lot!) We are blessed and just need to keep focused on Him! Have a blessed day!
Jessica says
Oh how I can relate to this! I have those moments too. The other day I put the littles in the pack and play and took a shower and cried and prayed. And it was so refreshing.
Amy says
Yes, that is a great way to get back on track!
Amy says
Some days I just want to cry just becuse I’m so tired. I’ve been thinking lately about the blessing and the burden. Every blessing comes with responsibility and when I am experiencing the burden part I think about what a blessing I have in having a husband and children. How many women would love to have a husband and a house full of kids? Yes, it’s a burden, but all good blessings come with burdens.
Amy says
Amen, Amy!
Dana says
So, my first thought is that I could write some of these on a piece of fabric and sew it on the inside of my apron, so if I didn’t have the verse memorized, it would be right there when I had the apron over my head. 🙂 Given my limited sewing skills and lack of material, though, it’d probably be faster to memorize the verses, though. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way sometimes!
Amy says
Maybe a safety pin would work. 😉
Dana says
Oh dear! I just reread my comment and wanted to apologize for the poor writing! I was a bit distracted by the little ones and didn’t reread it before I posted. :s
Emmalee Hoggatt says
Oh Amy, Thank you for your honesty and transparency. I often feel like I’m the only one in the world that loses it sometimes and runs and hides trying to seek some sanity. You are a blessing to so many moms out here in cyber world whether homeschooling or not. I am defiantly implementing apron prayers! Never thought that something so simple would be helpful but I know it will.
Amy says
Thank you, Emmalee! I really want to be God-honoring in all I do. I want you to see the real and honest me, but with that dash of encouragement that keeps you from despair. 🙂
Carol Anne says
Oh, Amy, so rarely do we hear from moms with SPD issues. You just inspire me.
Amy says
Carol Anne, you inspire me. 🙂
Ruth Adams says
Thank you for this timely truth. I loved this post!
Coby says
This was so timely! After a weekend with company, and a spring that has been extraordinarily busy, I awoke this morning exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if I could do it today. This morning I spent about 30 seconds in quiet prayer (as in, no one needed anything during those 30 seconds! 😉 ), and even though I wanted an hour of prayer and time in the word, the Lord really spoke to me and gave me just what I needed in those few quiet moments! Thank you for sharing this! It’s encouraging!
Amy says
Isn’t is amazing how God can reach us right where we are?!
Jenny K. says
Amy, thanks so much for the apron prayers. Today has been one of those days, reading this post helped to restore my faith that I can homeschool my kids & God will give me the strength & patience I need to do it! Thanks for reminding me I am not in this alone, God is allways there I just need to come to him & ask for that help.
Dee @ Start Dreaming says
Love the little apron prayers! Many of my blog posts recently have been about being overwhelmed. I think I will add these to my arsenal of responses to stress. Somedays I need all the help I can get and somedays I only need a little reminder of God’s peace.
Take care!
Dee
Betty Sullivan says
Thank you for this wonderful idea! I would like to place those cards in my apron and pray them over while cleaning my house.
Can you please, share more Bible verses/prayers or tell me where to find them?
thank you!
Betty