Category: Devotionals

Finding Christ in the Ordinary Rhythms of Motherhood and Everyday Life

I’m always amazed by the way Jesus reveals Himself in the most unexpected moments.

In the middle of ordinary life, motherhood, routines, cleaning, and responsibilities, Jesus still meets us there.

One minute I was cleaning my bathroom, and the next I was on my knees on the floor in worship.

Scripture tells us:

‘So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ (1 Corinthians 10:31)

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about God’s provision. I think it comes from a deeper desire to trust Him more fully.

Often the words of Psalm 23 come to mind:

‘The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.’

The trouble is, there are still moments when my flesh does want. The pull of the world can feel incredibly strong – success, status, comfort, appearance, possessions, recognition. Sometimes the battle against sin and worldly desire feels exhausting because deep down, I long to be spiritually aligned with the heart of God.

I want my eyes fixed on Him and Him alone.

But how do we actually do that?

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

A pastor once told me something very simple:

“Jesus is better.”

Simple words, but not always easy to live out.

When you are battling temptation, knowledge alone is not enough. We need the Holy Spirit to move within us and to reveal what is hidden deep in our hearts, cleanse us, and redirect our desires back toward Christ.

Practically, we lean into Jesus by reading the Word of God, praying, worshipping, and remaining in fellowship with other believers. Journalling has also become a way for me to slow down and ‘keep in step with the Spirit.’ (Galatians 5:25).

The Bible also says:

‘Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands…’ (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

That kind of ambition is so different from what the world teaches.

I used to describe myself as ambitious in the sense of constantly striving, progressing, achieving goals, and building a life that looked successful. There’s nothing wrong with working hard, pursuing goals, providing for your family, or developing the gifts God has given you.

But we do need to keep asking ourselves:

What are my motives?

Is it to glorify God? Or is it to satisfy myself and elevate my own image?

Work towards your goals.
Provide for your family.
Pursue the things you enjoy.

But keep God at the centre of it all.

Scripture tells us:

‘Set your hearts on things above, not on earthly things.’ (Colossians 3:2)

To do this, we have to surrender daily.

Seek His Kingdom first.

It requires honesty before God – laying everything down before Him and allowing Him to change our hearts. That kind of surrender only comes through spending time with Jesus.

The stumbling block comes when we allow ourselves to be carried along by worldly pressures: status, property, cars, fashion, social media, careers, cultural expectations.

Lay it all before the Lord.

Sometimes my prayer is simply:

‘Take it all away, Lord.’

And that is a big prayer, because it comes with big lessons.

Jesus has provided for me in countless ways throughout my life, but there was one moment where my eyes were opened to a much deeper provision, one that outweighs every worldly desire and every temporary distraction.

Jesus Himself is the provision.

He paid my debt.
He died for me.
He gave me eternal life.

And suddenly, everything else around us falls away in comparison. Our circumstances may not change overnight but our perspective does.

That moment on the bathroom floor reminded me that nothing matters more than belonging to Him.

There is no better way to live than fully surrendered to Jesus

He is the reason we are here. The reason we were created. The only one truly worthy of our devotion.

The world constantly pulls at our attention. If you are struggling with temptation, or the worldly distractions that surround you, lay it down before the Lord. Spend time with Jesus. Fix your eyes on Him. Seek His Kingdom First.

Peace is found when our eyes return to Jesus. Not because life suddenly becomes perfect, but because we remember who He is.

Looking for more Heartfelt Family Prayers and Devotionals? You may want to take a look at:

Growing and Flourishing in Christ

Francesca Price

Writer and Blogger of Heartfelt Family Prayers and Devotionals

Spring has always reminded me of God’s beauty, renewal, and faithfulness. Today, after picking up a bunch of bright yellow daffodils for a friend, I found myself reflecting on friendship, growth, and what it truly means to flourish in Christ.

Earlier in the day, I had needed help unexpectedly, with only fifteen minutes’ notice. My husband was working, In a moment of need, I knocked on my friend’s door and asked if she could take the children for a few hours while I dealt with a difficult situation.

Without hesitation, she said yes.

What a blessing true friendship is. God places people in our lives who love, support, encourage, and carry us through difficult moments. I came away from that experience feeling deeply thankful for faithful friends and for the goodness of God shown through them.

The Beauty of Daffodils

As I drove to collect the children later that afternoon, the daffodils rested on the passenger seat beside me. Still closed, quiet, and thirsty, waiting to be placed into water where they could flourish.

Daffodils have always been one of my favourite flowers. Their bright yellow colour brings joy, but what I love most is not simply how they look when fully bloomed — it is the process of watching them open.

When you first buy them, the flowers are tightly closed. Hidden away. Waiting patiently to bloom.

Then slowly, one by one, each flower begins to open at its own pace. A small glimpse of yellow appears through the bud, then another, and another, until suddenly the whole bunch is flourishing beautifully together.

Watching them today reminded me so much of our walk with Jesus.

Flourishing Spiritually in Christ

Every Christian grows differently and in God’s timing. None of us are the same, and that is part of the beauty of God’s creation.

Before I became a Christian, I now realise my eyes were spiritually closed. I did not fully understand God, His love, or the truth of Jesus Christ. But as I began seeking Him, learning more about Him, and drawing near to Him, something changed within me.

Just like the thirsty daffodils placed into water, my soul began to thirst for God.

The closer I grew to Him, the more my eyes were opened. Gradually, day by day, He transformed my heart, renewed my mind, and helped me grow into a new creation in Christ.

God continues to help me flourish – not according to the world’s way, but according to His perfect will.

Praying for Our Children to Flourish in Christ

As parents, one of our deepest prayers is that our children will come to know and love Jesus for themselves.

I pray daily that our children will flourish spiritually, that their hearts and minds will be open to hearing the voice of the Lord, and that they will recognise His presence in the world around them.

I pray that God gives my husband and me wisdom as we raise them – teaching us how to lead them gently toward Christ and love them as Christ loves us.

I pray that distractions will not harden their hearts, but that they will learn to recognise temptation and bring every thought captive before God.

Most of all, I pray they will know true freedom through Jesus Christ and understand the incredible sacrifice made for them on the cross.

Final Reflection

Like daffodils waiting to bloom, many of us are still growing, opening, and learning to trust God more deeply. But in every season, God is faithful.

He waters weary souls, strengthens fragile hearts, and gently helps us flourish into who He created us to be.

Even when growth feels slow or unseen, God is still working beneath the surface. In His perfect timing, He brings beauty from hidden places and life from weary hearts.

So wherever you find yourself today – waiting, growing, healing, or blooming – trust that God is not finished with you yet.

And just like the daffodils in spring, you too can flourish beautifully in Christ.

You may also like to pray this Heartfelt Family Prayer for Weary Mothers Trusting God for Strength.

Francesca Price

Writer and Blogger of Heartfelt Family Prayers and Devotionals

A gentle reminder for the mum who feels like she isn’t enough, but really is.

“You’re keeping it all together.”

I don’t always feel like I’m keeping it all together, but I am. 

Sometimes we just need reminding. 

Last night, I felt like I’d reached a point where I believed I wasn’t equipped to be the mum I needed to be, to meet the needs of my family, to carry out the responsibilities that were required of me. Overwhelmed and exhausted, I hit a wall of doubt.

Choosing to Take Control of Your Thoughts and Feelings

I decided to take control of my thoughts and feelings, to look beyond the inward emotions pulling me down like a heavy weight, to stop getting sucked into the reels that say, “this is how it should be done.” What fits for one, doesn’t always fit for another. 

Instead of focusing on the thoughts and feelings that were pulling me down, I chose to do what Philippians 4:8 encourages.

To think about what is good, true and praiseworthy.

How Writing a List Helped Me Focus on God instead of Self-Doubt

I decided to write a list of everything I’d done that day, to remind myself that I am equipped, I am taking responsibility, and I am good enough. 

Writing that list helped me to take a positive action and one that moved my eyes away from my circumstances and direct them towards Jesus.

I am equipped for this season of motherhood.

What’s even more important is that it helped me to remember that God has equipped me to be the mother of my children, to be the wife for my husband and to be the person He created me to be. I am enough and I am “keeping it all together”, even when I don’t always feel like I am.

Understand That You Are God’s Masterpiece

Scripture tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God’s masterpiece, created for the good works He prepared for us. Motherhood is part of that calling.

Even when I don’t feel like I’m enough, God reminds me that I am His masterpiece, created for the purpose He prepared for me.

God didn’t accidentally place me in this role:

I am fearfully and wonderfully made, created intentionally by Him.

Take Action: Make a List and Refocus Your Thoughts on God

Maybe, you could try writing your own list, not focusing on what you feel you didn’t do, or the mistakes you think you’ve made, but identifying all the positive actions you’ve taken, all the ways you’ve been there for your family, big and small. List the conversations you’ve had, the way God has guided you. Gently reflect on how you might make adjustments in the future, remembering that you are equipped and strengthened by God. You are enough.

Choosing God’s Strength Instead of Our Own

Today I was reminded that I can choose God’s strength. I don’t have to sit and struggle. When we are trusting God through trials, we learn that His strength is greater than our own. Today I said yes to God, that’s how I desire to live each day, saying yes to God.

Why We Should Expect Trials (James 1:2–4)

We are to expect trials, and these trials produce steadfastness, (James 1:2-4). Not only does it say this in the bible, but it’s clear that we will face them.

The Bible reminds us in James 1:2–4 that trials produce perseverance and maturity in our faith.

Life Is a Battlefield, But God Is Our Refuge

We live in this world. That doesn’t mean we have to be part of it, but we do live in it. It’s a battle field. We are soldiers, striving forwards in our weaknesses, but with God’s strength – the arrows that come our way will not harm us. We have a refuge, a shelter, a place where God’s hand is on us. He is protecting us through all the trials.

How Do We Trust God Through Trials?

God’s protection doesn’t always look how we’d expect. The trial we face may not go away in a puff of smoke, we are not dealing with a fairytale, there is no magic wand. No, this is real. There is a plan, a purpose, a design that we won’t always see, especially in the moment.

Do you sometimes find that as the trial begins to pass – only then do we look back, reflect on the situation, and begin to recognise God’s faithfulness and His protection? When we receive God, and trust Him in the trials, in the grief and hardship, when we are not conformed to the world, (Romans 12:2), but take an action to trust and obey – say yes. Then we begin to have clarity.

Stop Waiting for God’s Yes

We stop waiting for a yes from God, and realise that he is waiting for our yes. We stop waiting for God to serve us, and begin to serve Him.

All Because of Jesus

Suddenly, the veil drops, the heart aligns with our Creator, and we surrender to what seemed like the impossible, but becomes the possible. All because of Jesus. 

Reflection

Where in your life is God asking you to trust Him and say yes today?

As believers, we remember the promise in 1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

When we say yes to God, we place our trust in His care, even when the trial has not yet passed.

As my two-year-old son held my hand, he ran with a display of excitement. His little legs picking up speed with every movement, causing him to become wobbly on his feet, resulting in a stumble and a trip. He had been running towards the lake with an expectancy to see the ducks. The previous times we’ve been to visit them, they hadn’t been there, so I had told him that they were all very tired and were asleep. The problem was, I had said that three times already! Even though he hadn’t seen them the last few times, it didn’t take away the eagerness of the possibility of seeing them again. He didn’t have any concept of time as he ran, nothing mattered but seeing those ducks. His enthusiasm and urgency were enough for anyone around him to want to follow and find out what the buzz was all about! My son certainly wasn’t moving forward with any caution. He was however, trusting that I was right by his side, holding his hand and safely guiding him towards his destination, ready to pick him up if, and in this case, when he stumbled.

It took my thoughts to the times when Jesus has spoken into my heart through the Holy Spirit about something he has wanted me to do, somewhere he’s wanted me to go. However, my desire was to rush ahead, out of obedience and delight, but not always with caution. I might forget my surroundings, things that are important to me perhaps become neglected. Not out of intention, but the vision becomes a bubble of ambition that floats me towards the given mission! However, it can cause the foundations around me to subtly fade away. Until……POP! The bubble hits something sharp and there is a realisation that I’ve gone ahead without taking the right steps. The result being like my son, rushing towards the ducks. There is a stumble and a trip, and maybe even a step on the wrong path.

Thankfully, Jesus is always there smiling at me with compassion. Loving me and my enthusiasm to do His will, whilst gently speaking into my heart to take His hand and slow down. When we slow down, Jesus reminds us of our surroundings and our foundations, revealing to us the vision He has for our lives, but, unravelling it in His time. During these seasons, I am reminded to hold onto the priorities in my life and other important ministries that have a place in my heart. When Jesus slows us down, we can sit at his feet, rest in Him and in His word until we are renewed, reminded, replenished and ready to start taking steps towards the right path once again. However, this time, with all the foundations in the right place, and our feet sitting firmly on the solid rock of Jesus.

Proverbs 16:1 NLT 
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

As I sat to put into words what has been on my heart today, the hymn ‘I Surrender All’ came to my mind, and I believe it is a wonderful way to begin. The words written by Judson W. Van DeVenter in 1896, are beautiful yet challenging at the same time.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Saviour,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

So often, I have wanted to surrender all, I have thought I have surrendered all, and put my full trust in my creator, yet once again, without even realising, slipped back into the desire to want to take control of everything myself. As humans we DO have a desire to take control, to want to be self-sufficient, and perhaps for a time we feel that we are succeeding in this way, we are ‘on to a winner’, we’ve found our ‘perfect rhythm’. However, the reality is that eventually something changes that rhythm, knocks us off guard, and we realise that we’re not in control after all. As a mother, this can produce feeling of frustration, stress and anxiety, which is not what God desires for me as a mother or as a His child.  

The words of the hymn, ‘I Surrender All’, were put to music by Winfield S. Weeden, and bring about a sense of our frailty and vulnerability in life. Through both the musical texture and words the hymn reveals our need for the one who is in control if we’d just allow Him to be, and that is our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is the glorious bridge between us and God, allowing us, in all our frailty and vulnerability to be in relationship with Him and surrender all to Him.

Entering His presence in our weaknesses, during times of trials and difficulties in our lives allows us to be humble before God, accepting our weaknesses and letting His peace wash over us, stripping us of our pride, confessing that we are not in control and that we truly need the salvation that Jesus Christ has given to all who believe and all who surrender to Him. The blessing given to us through the blood that has been shed on the cross through the death of Jesus. Jesus is now risen and His spirit lives in us to continue the blessing of His love and power that reveals His glory through those willing to trust and commit their lives to Him.

This afternoon I have been reminded of a little book given to my son by his uncle for his baptism gift. It’s called KEPT FOR THE MASTER’S USE, written by the English poet and hymnwriter Frances Ridley Havergal. The book was printed in 1897. The chapters reflect on the verses taken from her consecration hymn. The author is a testimony of a life of wholehearted surrender to Jesus, with all her imperfections. It is a book that will challenge you with its ‘no beating around the bush’ reflections, but contrasted with rich, spirit filled encouragement.

Reading chapter 6 in John’s gospel over the last couple of days shone a light over the passages that God wanted to reveal to my heart. The power in His word opened my eyes once again to the word surrender. It was through the word believe and other passages that followed, that the Holy Spirit peeled back the layers of his word and graciously gave me knowledge that the word surrender was my teaching for this time.

It was through John 6:28-29. When Jesus is teaching the disciples, they ask Him, ‘what must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus responds by saying, ‘The work of God is this, to believe in the one He has sent.’ It makes sense that we must believe to allow our faith to flow from who and what we believe in. This must also be cushioned in trust in who and what we believe in, and it is this trust that will lead us to being able to fully surrender to who and what we believe in. According to the Blue Letter Bible, the word believe occurs in 149 verses, in the NIV addition. Through chapter 6 in John’s gospel, the bible reads,

‘No one can come to me unless the Father who send me draws them, and I will raise them up in the last day.’ John 6:44, Jesus mentions this again in verse 65.

It’s when Jesus says, ‘unless the Father’, that was when it really struck me, the reality of His control in every situation in our lives. We can convince ourselves that we can go about resolving all our problems by ourselves, but, this is where those three words come in, ‘unless the Father’, we can try and direct our children in the right way towards the right friends, the right school or the right job that we think is best for them, but, ‘unless the Father’, we can invite others to church and tell friends and family about Jesus, but ‘unless the Father’, I think you can see where I am going with this.

The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, is one that I’ve been reflecting and meditating on this evening. Her name, meaning ‘Grace’ speaks loudly in her faithful walk with God, and what follows through her perseverance and earnest prayer for a child. She prayed with so much anguish and grief, pouring out her soul to the Lord, that Eli the priest thought she was drunk. She couldn’t have children, but after making a promise to God that if she became pregnant, she would give him back to God, Samual arrives, and as Hannah promised, she dedicates Samuel to the Lord, saying, in 1 Samuel v 28:

‘So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.’

Little did she know how significant her faith, persistence in prayer, and testimony of godly motherhood would become!

Hannah’s radical faith is such an encouragement and reminds me that I too should surrender and keep surrendering my children to God and hold onto the knowledge that he is in control. When I am worried about a situation in their lives or their future, it reminds me to keep trusting in Him, and His love for them. By completely surrendering every part of my life to God, I can fully rejoice in His salvation, hold onto his promises and replace my fears with His peace. My faithful steps then become Christ-centred as opposed to being centred around my own thoughts and feelings about what might become of my children and family.

My children and my husband don’t always want to go along with my ideals, but they are my ideals, and when things don’t fall into place in the way I hope, I must remember that it is God who is in control, He knows the plans for my future and my families, and He knows the right path for us all, and unless I surrender to Him, unless I seek him and pray and leave my requests with Him and wait expectantly (Psalm 5:3), unless the Father is at the centre, the root, the foundation of my life, I will continue to be frustrated, stressed and anxious, I will lose all peace from my Father, I will no longer appreciate the full salvation I have through Jesus Christ.

As Frances Ridley Havergal writes in her hymn:

Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord to Thee.

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be

Swift and ‘beautiful’ for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing

Always, only, for my King.

Take my lips, and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee.

There was a huge sense of peace in the home tonight. It was quite a change from this morning, when I felt fuzzy headed, trying to get down on paper something that resembled a list of what I could do.  At least then I could keep on top of the house necessities to a level that satisfied my need to not feel overwhelmed by ‘stuff that needs to be done’. I’d been reading a little last night about procrastination. It’s become an increasing annoyance to me over the last few months or so, it seems to have creeped in, and now I’m trying to find ways to overcome it. I want to do too much. I think I can do way more in a day than is realistically possible. I’ve started my anti-procrastination journey by something so simple, writing smaller and more focused lists, that way I can psychologically make myself think that I have achieved loads because I am much more likely to tick everything off it! When I type this, I am beginning to think that this method is just another way to procrastinate, because the faster I get the list completed, the more time I will have to procrastinate on the other item that I didn’t get down on my list, wow, this is so messy! As you can see, things are not always that straightforward, but if we can just do a little every day, eventually we’ll get there.

Back to the peace in our home this evening, it was loud and sometimes quite intense, three children running around playing together, a little 2-year-old shouting to be heard, I finally found a gap to have a shower, but was playing a sermon over the Bluetooth speaker way too loud to try and override some the surrounding noise. That was my attempt at seeking the Lord in that moment. My husband was rounding up the children in a mission to get them to settle before bed. This might not sound like peace to you, but in the middle of all this noise was a gentle, warm, comforting sense of peace. It was tangible, it was love. Amazingly there wasn’t any quarrelling between the children, there wasn’t a ‘he pushed me’, or a ‘she didn’t knock my door before coming in’, there wasn’t even a toddler crying.

Taking a step back, in this precious moment, I could see my family filled with contentment and joined together. I knew that Jesus was right there with us. He was delighting in us, because he loves us. As the noise settled down, and the children began to disappear off into their room for bedtime, I heard a whisper in my heart. It started when I looked at my eldest son, and I could see a look in his eyes. I began to wonder how he felt about having a little brother, not that he ever felt his little brother was competition, he loves him dearly and takes being the eldest sibling very seriously. It was just something that came alight in my heart. How does he feel about his little brother getting all this attention? Each one of us were giving it to him, including my eldest son. Does he ever feel like he must work for our attention? Then the quiet whisper came to me, ‘you don’t have to DO anything for me.’ It reminded me of a time when Jesus spoke very similar words into my heart, ‘you don’t have to DO anything to make me love you anymore.’ This is exactly what I felt my son needed to hear, or maybe he didn’t, but I was going to tell him anyway, because I delight in my children in the same way that Jesus delights in us, but of course he delights more than we can ever imagine. We don’t need to DO to gain his love and attention. We can be resting in his presence, and he will always be with us and always be delighting in us and gently leading us along the path towards His glory and towards his love.