How are you holding up today? The days feel heavy lately. Things have shifted in many ways. If you’re anything like me, your heart is carrying more than just the daily to-dos. There’s a heaviness in the world right now – a steady stream of headlines and heartache. You have quiet burdens at home. I have friends who have lost loved ones and are struggling with health issues. From the anniversary of 9/11, the death of Charlie Kirk, stabbing of Iryna on a Charlotte train, school shootings to tragedies that strike close to home that the world will never know about, to the stories we wish our children never had to hear. Or things they see online. The heaviness, the divide. Some days, it feels like the weight of it all might just tip us over. Some days the weight of the world feels like too much. Between the headlines and the quiet heaviness we carry in our homes, it’s easy to wonder how we’ll keep guiding our families with peace.
As I am moving through my day, caregiving for my mom and making her confusing world as peaceful as I can, I found myself wondering how to guide my own family through these turbulent times. While I am no longer in the season of having young children that I need to manage their care, emotions or provide protection in their worlds, I have a little more space to process things. Although sadly, my mom’s situation now mirrors the stage I was once in with my children much more than I wish it did. And I find myself needing to protect her from the headlines and tragedies as I once did my sons.
For those of you, deep in the throws of motherhood of younger children, how do we, as women and moms, help our little ones feel safe in a world that can feel so unsafe? How do we answer their questions, when we barely have answers ourselves?
It’s important to limit the noise and distractions, lean into some whimsy and fun, and delight in the days as best you can. It will be good for your whole family… and you need it just as much, mom. And we must be intentional to have a home that honors the Lord and raise Kingdom Kids.
Faith Over Fear: What We Can Offer Our Children
Here’s what I’ve learned, friend: our children don’t need us to have all the answers. What they need most is our presence, our prayers, and our willingness to hold space for their questions and fears. To keep things calm and When the world feels out of control, we can point them to the One who never is. We can’t do this if we are not seeking Jesus and growing deeper in love with Him and trusting in His promises. Life is so hard, especially right now. It’s easy to get caught up in fear and frustration and let that dictate our days.
Scripture whispers, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)
We can’t shield our families from every sorrow, but we can anchor them in truth. We can model resilience – not by pretending everything is fine, but by showing them how to run to Jesus with our tears, our worries, and our hopes.
Practical Ways to Steady Your Heart and Home
- Limit the News – It’s okay to turn off the TV and limit the scrolling. Protect your peace and your children’s hearts by being mindful of what comes into your home. Take the time you need to stay up to date and have time to process what is going on, but don’t let it rule your emotions and keep you in an anxious state. And please because cautious letting your child have a cell phone or access to the internet. The world is at their fingertips and they don’t need that.
- Open Conversations – Let your kids know they can ask anything, anytime. Sometimes, “I don’t know, but I’m here with you,” is the best answer. Give them information that is age appropriate but don’t overdo it. Protect their hearts and emotions.
- Create Gentle Rhythms – Return to family routines: meals together, bedtime prayers, a favorite story. Snuggling on the couch. Just being together. These small rituals are anchors in stormy times. Make your home cozy. Be intentional to keep things as normal as you can.
- Pray Together – Even the simplest prayers are powerful. But it’s important to make prayer a habit in your home and learn the importance of praying daily. More than a mealtime prayer.
- Lean Into Community – Reach out to another mom, join a prayer group, or just text a friend. Is your church doing anything? You are not alone in carrying these burdens. Maybe God is calling you to start a gathering with a few others so you can support each other.
- Do Good for Others – It makes us feel better when we help others, doesn’t it? Help your children get in the habit of doing for others and being a blessing to them. Is there a widow who needs some help, is lonely or could use a meal? Who could you do something for to make their world a little better?
Where Do We Go From Here?
When everything feels overwhelming, I believe there are a few things our hearts and our homes can do:
- Feel the pain. Don’t try to “move on” too fast. Let sorrow wash over you. Cry. Talk aloud. Silent tears count just as much if they come from a place of true feeling. You are allowed sorrow.
- Pray for the brokenhearted. For families, friends, communities. For the ones who saw violence with their own eyes. For those who live with the fear that this kind of thing could happen again.
- Love loudly. In small gestures. Show kindness to someone hurting. Write a note. Listen. A phone call can mean more than we know. Be the refuge for others. Sometimes that’s all we can do ~ and it matters.
- Seek justice with humility. While grief can make us angry~and justly so ~ anger can also lead to deeper harm if not guided. We can call out wrongs. We can demand that safety, responsibility, love, and truth be central in how we live with one another.
- Hold fast to hope. Because even in the darkest times, hope does not fail us. The seeds of compassion, courage, sacrifice ~ they are eternal. They sprout in hearts that refuse hatred, even when hatred seems louder. But we have to know where our hope comes from.
- Make a difference. For those of us who are believers, we know we are here for a great purpose… to point others to Jesus. How can you help others in your circles? How can you brighten someone’s day. It’s a great example for your kids.
For The Encouraging Home
This blog has always been about turning sorrow into strength~not erasing pain, but letting God use it. And about strengthening families.
Let today be a reminder:
That our country is hurting, yes.
But also, that we are still a people capable of helping others and healing.
That children will continue to laugh, neighbors will gather, prayers will be spoken. Churches will be filled.
That when we choose light~when we choose kindness, service, truth ~ we push back the darkness, even if just a little.
I have more things in the pipeline to help you in. your journey of raising your family. I hope I can be of some help as we raise Kingdom Kids. I would love to hear how I can help you and what resources you would like to see.
Resources for Encouragement and Support
- God promises to draw near to the brokenhearted. He is our refuge, our strength, and the steady peace we can anchor our families in. Because I know how much we need gentle reminders right now, I made you a simple gift: “God is Near the Brokenhearted: 5 Scriptures + Encouragement for Heavy Times.” It’s a short, printable PDF you can keep by your bedside, on the fridge, or tucked in your Bible ~ with verses, encouragement, and a prayer for your home.
[Click here to download your free copy]
- Download the free Gratitude, Mental Wellness and Motherhood Workbook for gentle prompts and space to process your feelings.
- The Gentle Reset Printable – A free resource to help you pause and breathe, even on the hardest days.
- Find more printables and encouragement in the freebies section of the blog
Favorite Tools for Calmer Days
- Mood+ and Happy Juice – These gentle wellness supplements have been a support for our family, especially when emotions run high.And in times like we are experiencing now. Explore more about them in my wellness recommendations. (Let me know if you have questions or want a special offer! And things are 15% off thru tonight.)
- Amazon Family Favorites – From books that comfort anxious hearts to home helpers that simplify your days, I’ve gathered some of our go-tos in my Amazon shop.
