Back in my undergraduate days, there was this popular thing students did called TDB – “Till Day Break.” Basically, pulling an all nighter before an exam. For the longest time, I admired those who could do it, so I decided to give it a try the night before my Jurisprudence exam. Lord have mercy!
I successfully read through the night and strutted back to my room feeling like a champion. But by the time I took a shower and got dressed, it felt like I had washed away everything I had read!
As I walked to my faculty, I tried to recall my notes… nothing. ‘Like joke, like joke’, my brain went blank. Ha! I thought to myself, my village people have finally caught up with me! To make matters worse, as soon as I got into the exam hall, heavy rain started pouring outside. I looked down at my exam sheet and the letters seemed to be dancing. My eyelids suddenly felt like four hefty Ibadan women were sitting on them. Before I knew it, I had surrendered. I slept right there in the exam hall!
When I finally woke up, there was only an hour left to finish the paper. But oh, God came through! Suddenly, everything I had read came flooding back. I don’t know how I managed to finish that exam, but I can confidently say I wrote by the power of the Holy Spirit! Scoring 5 points? That was nothing short of a miracle!
But I learned my lesson. From that day on, no matter how tense I felt before an exam, I slept. I took time to understand my body’s rhythm and worked with it as God enabled me. Sometimes, what you call a mental roadblock is often just your body crying out for rest.
You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup, Everything Will Be Fine
One thing I have come to realize is that many people struggle to rest not because they don’t want to, but because they haven’t fully handed everything over to God. Instead, they are always strategizing, planning, and trying to work things out in their own strength.
For the longest time, I was that person. I hated being caught off guard, so I meticulously mapped out every detail, always having a Plan A, a backup plan, and even a backup for the backup. I was constantly running in circles, exhausting myself with the need for perfection, analyzing every possible way something could go wrong.
People like this are often called perfectionists. They set impossibly high standards, yet they can’t even satisfy themselves. They are self critical, distrustful, and burdened by the weight of control. Constantly pouring out without replenishing in God’s presence or embracing true rest, they find themselves running on empty ‘tank’, drained, weary, and fueled by nothing but fumes.
And can you imagine what kind of mother such a person becomes? It was overwhelming not just watching over my own steps, but also those of my family. I desperately wanted them to be fine, so I took it upon myself to ensure their well being, a responsibility I failed at miserably. There was no end to the restlessness.
My husband often said that I created work where there was none. In fact, he was convinced I didn’t know how to receive help. There was no pause, no breathing room. At first, God seemed to allow it, perhaps giving me time to grow. But in His mercy, He began to show me that I needed to fully trust Him. He reminded me that I could not be with my children every second of every day, so why hover? Why drain myself over things beyond my control?
We Were Designed for Rest and Community
We were never meant to do life alone. God designed us to work and rest, to have a community we call family. And family isn’t always about blood it’s about the people God brings into our lives, the Jonathans to our Davids, the Aarons to our Moses. These are the ones who stand as pillars of strength and ease, lifting some of our burdens so we can breathe. The key is to recognize them and let them help.
Delegate when you can. Allow your spouse, a trusted friend, or family member to step in when you need a breather. A well rested parent is a more patient, loving, and effective one.
Parenting Is Lifelong Ministry Might As Well Get Many Rests in Between
Just as Jesus’ disciples were constantly pouring into others, parents are in full time ministry too caring, nurturing, teaching, guiding. But even Jesus knew when to step away and recharge. As parents, we must do the same. (Mark 6:31). We need to recognize when we are running on empty and allow ourselves the grace to pause. And here’s the thing, rest doesn’t have to mean a full night of uninterrupted sleep (though that would be nice!). Sometimes, it’s about grabbing small pockets of rest where you can. A short nap. A moment of silence. A deep breath.
And rest isn’t just about sleep it’s about renewal. Those quiet moments can be spent in God’s Word, praying, meditating, or simply sitting still and letting Him refresh you. Because true rest isn’t just physical it’s spiritual. When we learn to rest in Him, we parent from a place of peace, not exhaustion.
Teach Your Children the Value of Rest and Empower Them
We sometimes feel like life is an endless cycle of busyness one thing after another, no real pause, just go go go. But if we’re not careful, we pass that same restless mindset down to our children. They need to learn early that life isn’t just about constant activity.
Rest isn’t laziness; it’s a gift. It helps them regulate their emotions, reset their minds, and find peace.
There are times I feel like just bundling up my children and tying them to a chair because what manner of strength do they have? I really am convinced that these little ones run on the energy of the sun. It feels like they are solar powered because how can human beings so tiny scream and run round the house nonstop till they ‘drop’ asleep!
But I have learned that as much as they are certain they can take over the world, they really need to rest so they can actually take over the world! So I put my foot down and insist they sleep.
As parents, we must empower our children and not be the kind of parents that do everything for them. Even if you have maids and nannies, let them learn. You would be surprised at how enthusiastic they are to learn and how quickly they can catch on if given the chance. Teach them responsibility not just for chores, but for their own well being.
Rest Even in Chaos
See ba, I have mastered the art of sleeping through my kids’ top of the lungs screaming. If we are home alone, once I have secured the room, tucking away sharp objects and putting electronics out of reach, I simply lock the door and snooze off. We will all be just fine.
Learn how to rest even in the middle of chaos. Jesus slept in a storm (Mark 4:38). That means no matter how noisy or unpredictable life gets, you can still find rest. Set a bedtime for yourself, not just the kids. Cut down on late night screen time so your sleep isn’t disrupted. Because here’s the truth when we model rest, our children learn that rest is not a weakness; it is wisdom.
God did not design you to run on empty, and you are not the savior of your home Jesus Christ is. When you trust Him, you will find the rest you need, and your children will learn to do the same.
So, breathe. Rest. And trust that everything will be fine.
