Debbie McDaniel
About the Author

Debbie McDaniel is a pastor's wife, mom to 3 kids & 4 pets. She's probably drinking coffee right now, or eating chocolate. You can find her on Twitter: @debbmcdaniel and on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DebbieWebbMcDaniel for daily words of hope from God's Word.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. This is so true. I wore myself to shreds more than month ago. Trying to keep up with my kids, maintain the perfect house, maintain the perfect relationship with neighbors, keep a work out schedule that I shouldn’t have, making time for friends. And it has taken more than three weeks to regain myself again. Some of us cry, some of us eat horribly, some of us shout at ourselves, some of us blame ourselves, some of us worry, some of us do all of these things. I woke this morning for the first time in three weeks feeling like myself. I’ve gained a few pounds, my house is a disaster, I am not sure if my kids homework is done correctly, and I am unsure what we are eating for dinner…….but that’s ok. 🙂 thanks for this!

      • I love your post. How many times have I done this to myself and my family. I know that He holds all things together holds me and that is all that matters. <3

  2. I can’t believe this sweet note… so cute! Mine do lovely stuff like this sometimes too. Must be God’s way of ensuring preservation of the species. 😉

  3. Precious, Debbie! Thank you! Was feeling a little overwhelmed myself yesterday. I have had allergies/been sick for over a week … behind in everything. Time to get caught up … and it is overwhelming. But God is my strength. Thank you.

  4. I remember days like that…Just wanting to curl up and disappear for a while. Somehow with God’s help, we always get through.

  5. What a wonderful Mom you are, grin.

    For my Special-needs Moms (Mom’s of chronically and terminally ill kids) I made coupons for the Mom’s, from the kids…..and sent them to the kids to give to their Mommies, and I think ALL Mom’s can benefit from such things: 30 minutes of reading time, where Mom gets a book just for herself, 30 minutes of bubble-bath time FOR MOM, and the kids run the water, get the towels and comfy clothes…..all BEFORE Mom’s 30 minutes start (so it FELT like they were giving a gift, grin)…..and then they gave their Mom’s coupons that THEY could turn in whenever they chose, no questions asked (for quite moments like your closet—but with the desperation eased).

    Thank you for sharing, for the reminders it brings on so many levels…..

    Keep taking good care of yourself. That’s one way the children can learn: YOU are important AND that they too need to take good care of themselves.

    Hugs…and safe travels!

  6. Like me when my kids were young. I locked myself in the bathroom just to get away for a while and they would come to the door still and ask questions. But it’s all good. I had good boys. Two very good boys. What a blessing thinking back.
    🙂
    Two very good boys. They still are.
    Love their mother to bits.

    • that’s so sweet Karyn! though some days seem slow, reality is – the days and years pass so quickly, want to soak in moments – the good ones & even the more “trying” ones! thank you for your words. 🙂

  7. I have been there a lot recently. Thank you for the encouragement, and for the wonderful verses/promises/reminders at the end! Hugs!!

  8. (in)courage is hitting the nail on the head hard today. Read two posts that feel like they were written just for me today. Thank you.

  9. My kids are grown, and yet I still struggle many days with feeling overwhelmed! It’s hard to juggle the demands of working full time, being a wife, friend, mom, gardener & housekeeper, and still stay focused on Christ, walking in His love and grace. Your post today really hit home for me, and was a big encouragement–was just what I needed. Thank you for your words of life and grace. I love how God knows just what we need, and uses others to speak into our lives. My perspective is realigned and I feel like I can do my life today–thank you!!

    • ooohhh, Cherie, your struggle is right where I feel like I live, a lot! I think no matter what our kids ages, life demands can just seem a little overwhelming at times. God is so good to help bring things back to perspective for us – many times for me, that seems to happen through such simple, yet powerful ways. God bless your day with much peace and grace!

  10. It’s so amazing just to know how God looks at us so differently.
    Sometimes we see our selves as the worst person living,but again we should know that God made us in His own imaje

    wonderful

  11. Oh Jen, you made me cry. I often feel like the burden of it all is just too much. My kids, my 18 year old, graduation around the corner, life crashing in on me on every side. My job crashing into me every day. If i want to go see my son play in the dome on Friday, I need to work on Saturday…. I feel the pressure to handle all of this “stuff” so much better than i do. And i fail. I crash, and i want to go lock the door and cry….. While i cry in the bathroom, i will picture Jesus on the cross, and just for this moment in my life I will lay it at his feet. All of it…. God bless ya!!!

    • Connie, thank you for your honesty and for sharing your heart – HE is for you! You’re not alone – ever! Praying for you right now – trusting God to give you His amazing peace in the midst of it all. love to you.

  12. This touched my heart my heart. Thank you so much for your words. So true. Good to know I am not alone in my thoughts when I feel overwhelmed.

  13. This is great! It’s so easy to get over whelmed and behind. I started school this semester along with my kids playing sports and working full and I’m a single mom that’s hard enough to juggle along with taking a week out with a sick kiddo in the hospital, it’s always the small things that are reminders to take deep breaths and keep our chins up! <3

    • Yes! Deep breath…moving forward…what I do a lot. 🙂 Life is never perfect, often feel I’m a few steps behind where I should be, lol, but you’re so right – small moments from God often jolt us back to the reality of what is most important in this life. And it’s rarely the things we tend to feel so overwhelmed with many days – thank you for sharing your heart Tiffany, prayers with you today!

    • Tiffany,

      Prayers for you as you parent your children alone. Being a single mom is never ever easy. Congratulations on taking classes again. I know God will see you through these trials and make you stronger.

      Prayers for quiet time to relax and unwind from life and for school! May God truly bless you in all that you do!

  14. Hi
    Thank you so much for sharing this. Often when I feel overwhelmed I feel like I want to run away… Not that it would help of course 🙂 But it is exactly then that God can surprise you with His love and grace… By sending a friend across your path with an encouraging message or even just your daughter offering to make you a cup of coffee or giving you a hug.
    Thank you Jesus that we are never alone! 🙂

    • Yes! So true Sharon, love your words, thank you for sharing. And love that God surprises us with little reminders of His goodness and care over us. You are right, we are never alone!

  15. Debbie,

    I don’t have children, but an aging parent. I know the days of working and being stressed and tired only to get a call to come help. Oh the thoughts of running away from life have hit me many many times. Life gets hard as we get older.

    God gives rest to the weary. He will send people your way to help you out. For me He allows time to rest–going to be early or just taking a day off work. Sometimes it’s just a few minutes of quiet time alone.

    All moms do a wonderfully hard job of raising little ones and it isn’t easy. But God will see you through and bless you with miracles later in life.

    God Bless everyone!

    • Beth, thank you so much for your encouraging and wise words…many prayers with you in your journey of caring for an aging parent. Praying that God’s spirit of joy over you today would be like a breath of fresh air – He smiles over you! Thank you so much for sharing, blessings…

  16. I just sat down at my computer in tears after bringing my precious 17 year old daughter home from the emergency room. She has been suffering for days with a migraine headache and this morning she was fairly unresponsive. As I sat in the ER quietly watching her sleep (after pain meds) a scripture came to mind–Be still and know that I am God. I wept quietly out of fear, frustration, and ultimately relief knowing that God’s healing hand was upon His precious child. Your words today meant so much to me. Thanks for sharing.

    • Oh Simona, wishing I could reach thru the computer & give you a huge hug! I’m so sorry for what you’ve walked thru today, thankful along with you that God’s hand was on your sweet daughter, and on you too, bringing His peace…healing…comfort. Prayers with you tonight for sweet rest, thinking of you, trusting that His presence will continue to be close to you.

  17. Wow, I love this. I have 5 precious children and my oldest is in 4th grade… I feel like his school projects are never ending. A few nights ago my son was overwhelmed with his school projects and began to cry. I let him head to bed and stayed up another 2 hours getting his research together… The next morning his shocked eyes and HUGE hug was worth it all… Did I want to stay up till 2 am? Nope. Was I exhausted? Yes. Did I learn more about Uranus than I ever wanted to know? Yeap. But in the end it was worth it, it took the burdens off my 10 year old and we proceeded to finish the project with no more tears. Being a mommy is wonderful, we just have to learn what really matters and what doesn’t. 🙂

  18. Debbie! What a marvelous, inspiring, encouraging, heartfelt post for all moms today! I love to read everything at (in)courage! Often one might think the posts are more for the young mother, or mother of young children! But I just wanted to let you know that it helps an older mother too! I am 3 days away from being 63 and still a mother in full duty to a 40 year old special needs son! Weariness will always come from time to time, but those faces you love, even when they can’t talk like mine, is worth it all! And you make the decision, “I AM IN HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL!” Just a touching post today! Encouraged me today!!! Thankyou!

    • Helen, your words are so very touching and inspiring to me! I have incredible respect for you as you continue to care for your adult child, as you have for so many years. Wow, my heart is full of prayers for God’s grace and goodness to shine over you. Thanks so much for reading and sharing, your life is a wonderful example to all of us moms of what matters most. And Happy Birthday to you!!! 🙂

  19. I am in tears sitting at work reading this! I gave birth to my first child just over two months ago on September 10 and I already find myself exhausted with balancing a husband, new baby, church obligations, family, a full time design job, and keeping up a home. But you are right. God hasn’t asked me to carry it all and do it all. God asked me to be a Mommy – A role I so desperately wanted and do want. I need him now, more than ever, to teach me balance!

    • Big, big hugs to you Whitney! Wishing I could sit & have coffee with you because I so relate to your heart. You are not alone my friend, so many have walked right where you are right now, it can be tough to balance it all! Praying that you will hear God’s sweet whispers to your soul this Thanksgiving week, praying for rest for you, praying for sweet times with your family and your precious new baby. Trusting He will show you what is right for you in every decision you make ahead. Much love to you…

  20. I Love all the comments here.I think we all need this from time to time.I am a Mother of 3 my boys are grown and are 27 and 28 . my Daughter is still home and 16 years old.I have a hard time just knowing she will be Married one day.and leave me I just don’t know what life without her will be like.Just keep me and my Family in your Prayers Thank you

    • Brenda, thank you for sharing your heart, prayers for you right now. God is for you, He is with you, through every step of this incredible life journey. Praying you feel his absolute and amazing peace covering you today, like a big, warm, cozy blanket. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family…blessings to you.

  21. Thanks for sharing. As a full time working mom bringing up two beautiful girls (10 & 6) alone it sometimes gets overwhelming, I’ve been there too. Your post reminds that it’s never by power or might but simply by His grace and love.

    • You my friend have my utmost respect as a single parent, wow, I know you certainly must feel that overwhelming load at times in all that you do to keep life flowing for your family. And your words are so right, it’s never by our own power that we can do it all, He’s so good to lavish love and grace on us. I pray He covers you with His goodness – many blessings to you this Thanksgiving week! Thanks so much for reading and sharing your heart.

  22. Thank you for sharing that. I read about you adopting. That’s how I got to this message. Our oldest son and daughter-in-law adopted a baby boy in June of 2012. He is the sweetest little boy. We have 7 grandchildren. He’s the second from the youngest. We love them all the same.
    Also I enjoyed what you just shared. I believe by God’s Grace we get through whatever it is we go through. My husband is a Vietnam Veteran and is disabled with the Agent Orange. With God’s Grace I’m able to do what I need to to get us through one day at a time.
    Thank you for sharing both about adoption and about God’s Grace.
    I hope you have a blessed day. Hugs, Chris

    • Chris, thanks so much for reading & sharing some of your own story, God’s huge blessings and grace over you, your husband, and family. Words seem inadequate to say “Thank you” enough to you and your husband for being such an important part of protecting our country in past years. Praying that you have a BLESSED Christmas season in every way, hugs to you!

  23. I loved this article. as a mom of two boys under the age of 3 it seems as if most days i am just trudging thru the mud and often am overwhelmed. its nice to know i am not alone in this journey of motherhood, that other moms feel this way sometimes, that it is ok if everyday doesnt go as planned. We are so blessed that God gives us his grace and his strength esp on the days when we feel as if we are “spent”