Even an accidental Spiderman cup of juice flying at my lap from across the table can't move me. I am un-rested mother, and that descriptor shakes a stick at my perspective on sexy and fun and life and light – on the gratitude that keeps my heart singing.
I get caught under clouds of exhaustion, the darkness rolled in for a visit, and I wait in the silence for it all to burst, for the rain to soak me down and relieve my spirit.
But it's dry, and my soul feels like it needs a nap. Wake me up when this is over.
When I hit these days, I prescribe to myself a few remedies: memory verses, prayers, no television, more church, and usually I exhaust myself further before something breaks, like a thunder clap.
And then I'm drenched in the knowledge of God. I hear God's voice so clearly, because He has spoken into the silence. The light bursts in relentlessly.
I see now.
There is much purpose in those dark places, how the mean time prepares our souls, gives us a contrast for which to see greatness and grace, and makes us long for Spirit water and restoration, causing in us a desperation that declares allegiance, sealing bond-enslavement, and granting freedom from this temporary world. There is a beauty in having been aware of great nothingness and in seeing, finally, consuming God.
He makes the dry bones quake. He makes them peel up from the grave and dance. Ah, we are the grateful dead – He, a constant new-creation maker.
And we are mothers.
——–
My experience as a mother and as a woman and as a human, in general, is that sometimes I need a little help. Oh, okay, a lot of help.
I am thankful to Thomas Nelson for generously offering us a little help here today. They are giving an amazing gift package in honor of Mother's Day, for those of us who strongly desire to lead our children in the way of the LORD, in spite of our own waywardness, tools meant to support our dry bones when we need to hear the truth, when we want to recall His past faithfulness, and when we want to express our desires and sometimes don't have the words.
This package includes gifts for Mom
Reflections from a Mother's Heart
An Invitation to Prayer for Mothers
and
and gifts for the little ones.
God's Little Princess Devotional Bible
and
You can win all of them…just leave a comment before midnight on Friday!
by Amber Haines, the run-a-muck
Leave a Comment
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
All I want for mother’s day tomorrow, is to stand in church with my glass held high, and to let the worship wash over me and fill us both up.
Thank you Amber.
Muthering Heights says
This is such a succinct portrait of what we all feel! Lovely, as always Amber!
Heather M. says
Happy Mama’s Day!
Deanna says
Beautiful! Happy Mother’s Day!
Sue H. says
Thank you God for mothers.
Michelle says
Thanks for being real…
Holly Days says
It’s the kids that make Mothers Days all worth it.
Holly
Melissa says
Happy mothers day. And I’m so feeling the need to be a better mamma this year. Hope these books will start me right?
chelsea says
dry bones…. oh how i can relate right now. thank you for sharing, Amber, and being honest about motherhood and the dark places. and thank you for sharing your remedies too… i needed to hear that and need to adjust my sights and course right about now. thank you!
Candace says
I have struggled with several periods of depression in my life…and these words describe how I felt. The guilt alone (of ruining my kids with this awful cloud over our family) is quite suffocating. But, God is faithful…and I continue to trust Him, despite myself. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
lisa says
Thanks for sharing this!
Jennifer Sikora says
Thanks for the reminder. I really needed that.
Annie Luidhardt says
Thank for this post!!
Mari Larkin says
Love the post. Thanks for the insights.
Anne Marie says
Thank you for the posts that keep me focused and help me as a mother, wife and women. Happy Mother’s Day!
Jen U says
THANK YOU for making us know we are not alone. Happy Mother’s Day!
Stephanie says
Happy Mother’s Day to all of us in “the trenches.” May God’s fullness completely fill all our emptiness.
Courtney O says
Yes, again, thank you for sharing that. Such an encouragement!
shana says
Would love to win it . . . thanks so much!
Happy Mother’s Day!
blessings,
Shana
Charlotte says
Happy Mother’s day!
Thanks for the post.
Melanie Bedogne says
Love, love love your articulation of how God uses the “mean time” of our life. Such a great depiction and a reminder that we are not meant for this world. May we continuously be hungry for Him.
Thank you!
Jenn @ Beautiful Calling says
Happy Mother’s Day everyone. Thank you Lord for this privilege!
AR says
Happy Mothers Day!!
Hattie says
A wonderful post of encouragement.
Happy Mother’s Day! That’s an awfully nice giveaway!!!
Dawn Gasser says
I know God uses these incourage emails to splash some of that “spirit water” on my soul. Thank you for your part in waking me up to God’s voice each morning…
Joy says
His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness…Lord, may we learn to appreciate both the dry and the drenched, knowing You are there through all times…
Lisa says
Happy Mother’s Day!
Tammera Franks says
Thank you
Happy Mothers Day
Natalie says
I have yet to become a mother myself, but I sit here with my dear sister and her TWINS on her first Mother’s Day after years and years of heartache and struggles with infertility… and I get it. I see the exhaustion. I see the desperation. And then I see the heart drenching, soul soaking Wisdom of our Lord healing and transforming all her wounds into deeper love for her family.
Thank you for this post.
Janice Kesterson says
Happy Mother’s Day to you!! Your post gave me encouragement and blessed me today. Thank you!! Being a Mom is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me and I thank him for it. Have a great day.
Janice
Erin says
Thank you so much. You cannot know how much this post touched me – and it’s only the first I’ve gotten in my inbox. Just signed up yesterday and today you’ve made me cry with gratitude. The Lord leads us to wonderful things 🙂
Rachel says
Happy Mother’s Day!
Mere says
Happy Mother’s Day and God bless.
Fontaine says
This is my first time posting here, but I subscribe by email and love reading all of the posts. Everyone is so uplifting and positive, while at the same time being REAL.
Thank you ladies for all that you do, and good luck to everyone in the giveaway.
Blessings-Fontaine
Sarah Morlandt says
I appreciate this entry immensely. And really any “mother writing” that honestly tells of the exhaustion and discouragement of motherhood. But of course, the joy and satisfaction that eventually follows. Honesty can be very encouraging.
Sarah Morlandt
Courtney says
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the wonderful mothers out there! Thanks for this post, Amber, and for the opportunity to win a little extra “in”couragement! 🙂 As a single mother to a ten year old boy and almost 4 year old girl, I need A LOT of help! LOL
Katrina says
thank you for blessing me with your words today. i have been to those dark places, and i appreciate and thank the Lord for lifting me out of there! He is my strength, and all glory is His!
Michelle Cameron says
Thank you for being honest. It is tough to be a momma, but the unconditional love of our children and watching them become beautiful creations of God are an amazing gift to us. God uses them to help us know His love for us. Thank you God.
Erin Bunn says
I pray every day for the Lord to give me ears to hear in my heart and speak only His love to my childen. Happy Mother’s Day to all!
Hope says
Great post….While motherhood is exhausting, both physically & mentally I wouldn’t trade one second of it…it’s also the most rewarding privledge I have ever had!
magsmcc says
Gosh, so good to think that others struggle too. This has to be a huge contribution of Christian women’s blogging to the Kingdom!
Cathy says
Happy Mother’s
Day. Am feeling dry right now, my daughter, 21, is not speaking to me much less wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day. My son is not with me now either. My precious Mom is deceased. I would love to win this Thomas Nelson collection. I went to church this morning and am getting ready to take a nap. Can’t talk my cat into fixing me lunch.
Debbie says
Dear Cathy from the post above me . . .I can relate and I am praying for you especially today! Thank you, Holley, for the mother’s day wishes and for sending us here to Amber. Thank you Amber for encouraging us as mothers, when we need it most . . .like all the time! May He be the living water that forever soaks our souls! Blessings and love! deb
Tiffany says
Dry Bones certainly describe me right now. I have been dealing with a computer game addicted husband, a new baby, all the household duties, and for the first time in my life living away from my family and friends. It’s been hard and thanks to wonderful posts like this I know that my life is guided by God and he is always there to help me. Happy Mother’s Day!
Rachel Beavers says
Boy, can I relate. Happy Mother’s Day!
Laura says
Happy MOther’s Day all!
Deb says
Needed that! Happy Mother’s Day!!
gretchen says
I could really use some encouraging books. Thanks for the giveaway. Happy Mother’s Day!
Su says
A great post for Mother’s Day – Thanks!
Elaine says
Oh, I love this!
Tracy says
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the beautiful women here at (in)courage!
tammy@if meadows speak says
Naptime sounds glorious right now. Thanks Amber for sharing how these weary times really do have a purpose. When we are delivered from them, we appreciate the refreshing so much more.
Kathy says
wow, amazing giveaway! =)
kathy k.
Eryn Hall says
Beautifully written! Happy and filled Mother’s Day!
Mrs. Rachel says
So good for me today, since I stayed home from corporate worship with a fevery toddler. Happy Mother’s Day!
Suzanne says
Great post. Happy Mother’s Day!!
Sarah says
Beautiful! Happy Mothers Day!!
Loni says
Lovely words today of such encouragement and how this weary mom feels at times . . . thank you. A blessed mama of a dozen ~ 10 beside me & 2 at Jesus’ feet
Wendy says
Great words! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
Marissa says
Thanks for your words and the giveaway!
Jeanine Q. says
Thanks for a nice Mother’s Day post! Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!
Erika Crowl says
Thank you for this post.
Marilyn says
You’ve captured what it is to be a mother…..and in for the long haul. Press on, gently of course. It is worth it.
C Taylor says
Thank you, Amber! I breathe a sigh of relief and let my shoulders relax as I recognize and appreciate the fact that the “image” we’ve been fed of the “perfect” mother is all wrong. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Kelli says
Reading what you have to write makes me nervous about being a mother in August, but I am so thankful for your honesty. Hope you had a happy mother’s day!
Tricia says
Thank you for this today. Sometimes it feels like that darkness lasts a bit too long. We all need to know that there is light for us to find.
Val says
I’m so glad I’m not the only one… I love being a Mom and I know how incredibly BLESSED I am to be one. But it does empty me some days.
Joan says
As I watch my 87 y/o mother with Alzheimer’s deteriorate right before my eyes, I will always remember the words she said to me not more than a week ago, “I am in no pain, I am so blessed.” When she cannot remember what happened 30 seconds ago, she knows that God is still there in her heart as always. Then, I fast-forward to my grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, as they are learning about our Father and His Word, and praying that someday they will understand what it means to say those words, “I am so blessed.”
Sandy says
Happy Mother’s Day!
Christina Burrell says
I would love to win this. I love being a mommy!
Britiney says
What a terrific post. Thanks for your honesty. We are all there so often.
celeste says
Yes, every mother can relate. I’m still in the throes of motherhood with 8 from ages 2 to 20. Thanks for the encouragement to stay the course.
Melinda says
You caught my feelings in yours. Rejoicing with you in the drink of the Spirit today and the song One Heartbeat at a Time by Stephen Curtis Chapman.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Aimee says
Amber,
I hope you’ve had a wonderful Mothers Day!
Your words are quite a gift and just what we all need to read on days like that. I love how you pour from the overflow of your heart, even sharing what’s like when your heart feels dry.
I’d love to win this give-away, for expressly why you said: for those of us who strongly desire to lead our children in the way of the LORD, in spite of our own waywardness.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, written and, I imagine said, in your sweet southern cadence. 🙂
Sarah-Kate* says
fun! I’m commenting! 🙂
happy mother’s day, y’all.
Becca says
Thank you for this post. Seriously
Susan Best says
I have only recently begun receiving emails and have found myself eagerly awaiting for new poetry, insight, inspiration, and most of all the realization that so many women are just like me. We are mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends. Thank you for creating God centered and peace driven newsletters and website.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Susan
Blessed Mom says
Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for the opportunity to win these books.
Patricia/nyc says
Great post!! Wonderful reminder!
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Misty says
So true! Speaks to my heart…Happy Mother’s Day!
Amy says
What a wonderful giveaway! Amber, you have an unbelievable way of writing! I look forward to each of your posts! They are so real. Thank you for pouring your heart out.
Adventures In Babywearing says
OH yes, I know this. I hear (read) your words and know well, mom to 3 boys, those days that run into nights into days.
Much encouragement to you.
And what a wonderful giveaway, too.
Steph
Kelly says
Thank you for reminding us.
Desi Brown says
Needed this! Thank you!!
Michelle says
Thanks for this, Amber. Sounds like these books will be a big help for those dry spells…
Kelly says
Wonderful post for wonderful mothers! How I (and we all) can relate to dry bones at one time or another (and another, and another). Let the Spirit water flow!
Crystal says
Such wise words – thanks for sharing! Happy Mother’s Day!
Vicki Cruz says
This my first mothers day without my mom.. but I know in my heart she is with the Lord now. I myself enjoy my beahtiful grandchidren and am blessed with a wonderful family that loves me. so your post encourages me to embrace and love others. Thank you and Happy Blessed Mother’s Day Amber.
JenC says
Happy Mother’s Day – who couldn’t use a giveaway that includes (in)couragement for mamas!
motherhen says
Thank you for the sounds of my own thoughts…It is so good to hear them from someone else…a reminder that i really am not alone.
C. Saw says
Awesome.
(in)courage is awesome.
thank you for your ministries.
Becky says
Thanks, Amber! Your writings always bless me.
Jessica says
Amber, I too am bone dry….most days. Thank you for sharing what you do on those days ….great ideas for an awakening.
Cindy says
Praise God for you, Amber!
This may be the first one of your devotions that I have read. It is very good, especially as I have had a rough morning already with my thirteen year old. Your remedies for “those days” are right on.
God is so good to give us folks like you to encourage us. Thank you for being available and obedient! God bless you richly!
Because of Jesus,
Cindy
Jennifer Kerr says
Yes- you nailed it on the head exactly how I feel some days- so thankful the for the rain God brings to us!
thanks for the giveaway!
Jennifer
4kerrhome@att.net
Cassie Boorn says
BEAUTIFUL POST.
Happy Mothers Day! Late…
Kathy says
Thank you for the encouragement as I have struggled with bouts of depression and anxiety for years which makes me feel like I can’t be all I need to be for my two wonderful kids. With God’s help (he uses people like you to encourage, we will be blessed and overcome. Thank you for the words of encouragement. Happy Mother’s Day!
Melissa says
Thank you for feeding our souls. Espcially mine. I have been weary lately. Thank you for refreshment!
christy says
Thanks for sucha good post! Yes, sometimes i definitely feel weary when it comes to motherhood, but also that I am doing a lousy job at it…would love some help from Thomas Nelson;)
Thanks again for sharing!
Laura K says
This is an awesome perspective on the dark days. Thank You.
Tyra says
What a great pick-me-up! Thanks for the chance.
Melissa Nesdahl says
Thank you for sharing this honest post!
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
Lovely post, and a lovely giveaway!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
lisa says
Isn’t that what we’re all praying for, to be a good mother, in spite of ourselves…
Jennifer B says
Happy Mama’s Day belated!
Jennifer Omusinde says
My girls and I decided last night that we would have a fresh beginning this morning: less arguing, fighting, yelling and more loving, obeying, and enjoying each other. Daddy wasn’t in the room, but we’re gonna include him too. It’s refreshing on Mother’s Day to know that despite all my shortcomings, my kids still love me. What a testimony to God’s love and grace. Thank you Lord!
Ruth says
The Lord is so faithful to meet us when we are tired.
Lysa Wilson says
what neat books. i especially like the god’s promises for boys/girls.
Karen says
Thank you so much for putting into words things I have been feeling and dealing with for the past several months. I only recently have been able to come out of the darkness and clouds and see that light again and realize the need to reconnect with my Savior.
Christy Cross says
Thanks for the beautiful words. 🙂 Nice to know I’m not the only one who’s bone dry sometimes. Have a blessed week!
CeCe says
Mother’s Day should be every day!
Thank you for the wonderful writing!
jeri says
oh to be “drenched in the knowledge of God”.
to truly know him & find that he is enough.
such a beautiful post, Amber. thank you.
Brandi says
What a wonderful reminder to not only God’s mothers, but God’s women and beautiful creations. Indeed He does fill and restore us, and use our emptiness and brokenness to shine through and draw us nearer to Him.
Mahalo for your encouragement and words of wisdom, and thank you for being a strong mother and woman of God.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers and you are ANGELS and SUPERWOMEN 🙂
Erin says
Loved this and love the giveaway! Thanks Amber and Thomas Nelson!
Alyson says
Really needed this today. Thank you…
Joy says
great post – thanks!
Simply Sara says
Oh how I need these dry bones to quake!
Happy mama’s day!
Kristina says
Enjoyed reading this post today! I too have discovered purpose in the dark places. I see so clearly who God is and have a love for Him I’m not sure I would know any other way.
Rachel says
What an awesome post. Isn’t His love and grace always sufficient to bring us back…
Elizabeth (@claritychaos) says
Amber, I’m not looking to win a thing, but this is another one for your book, woman. You floor me. In the best way possible. Please share this beyond the blogging community — you have a gift that could touch so, so many people. That *does* touch so many, but should be reaching more. You’re preaching the word, my friend.
Alicia says
That was beautiful! Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day 🙂
Jennifer says
Very wise and true! Thankful for a God who provides strength to the weary mom!
Yolanda says
Thank you for the chance to win.
Shannon says
Thank you for this encouragement-and for the giveaway!
Jessi says
Wonderful wonderful wonderful! Happy Mother’s Day (belated)
Jennifer W. says
I love reading the posts on this blog. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Mindy says
Your honesty resonates in my heart today. Happy Mother’s Day!
Rach says
Thank you for such encouraging words!
Kelley says
wonderful post!! thank you!
Jordan says
JUST what this weary momma needed to read right now. Thank you Lord!
Karen says
What an incredible giveaway.
Dawnette says
Such joy I find in being a “Mom”. I am always trying to do it better, so any resources would be helpful.
Megan says
Awesome! I think I just made it. 🙂 Thanks so much!
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