What Makes My Kids Cry Today

There’s this thing we tell moms.

“Be the calm in the chaos.”

Like it’s our job to absorb everyone’s stress, settle every sibling dispute with a serene whisper, and keep a smile while the juice spills again.

And while I appreciate the sentiment, can I just say… I don’t always have calm to give.

Sometimes, I’m the chaos too.

The overwhelmed.

The overstimulated.

The on-the-edge-of-tears because someone asked me for one more thing.

And you know what?

That doesn’t make me a failure. It makes me human.

Because the truth is—I was never meant to be the calm.

Jesus is.

He’s the Peace I Can’t Create

He’s the One who calms storms with a word.

He’s the One who can speak stillness over my spiraling thoughts.

He’s the One who offers rest not when I finally get it together—but right here, right now, as I am.

So if today feels loud…

If the week ahead looks full…

If you’re already bracing for Monday…

Let this be your reminder:

You don’t have to carry it all.

You don’t have to fix everything.

You don’t have to be the calm.

You just have to be held.

Let Him be the stillness when you’re stretched.

Let Him be the peace when you’re poured out.

Let Him be the calm you can lean into—not the standard you’re trying to meet.

With you in the noise and the grace,

Lizzie

Mom of Five, Sunday Sigh-er, and Leaning on Jesus for Monday