Today is been one of those tough days. At least the morning was and things are slowly starting to calm down now as we head into the afternoon.

You see - my energy stores (and thus my patience) are in pretty low supply lately. I'm currently 9 weeks pregnant and this third pregnancy has been wiping me out. Between the morning sickness and the fatigue of being in my first trimester AND keeping up with four kids three and under, I'm pretty exhausted lately.

Plus honestly, even not being pregnant, some days as a mom are just really really tough. Anyone else feel like that? I love my kids and I love being a mom. But some days, some seasons, and some times are really really tough.

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I think everyone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. It was only 9am and all four kids were currently crying. It certainly wasn't the end of the world, but with 12 things that needed to be done at once, I really started feeling overwhelmed. 

So I stood there, I felt my temper rising, my patience draining away, and that familiar tug of fatigue threatening to overwhelm me...I had to stop and figure out how I would handle it all. Would I let anger overwhelm me and start yelling? Would I turn into a Zombie and just get.through.the.morning. Would I break down and start crying myself? Would I call my husband and beg him to come home to my rescue?

Believe me, all these thoughts went through my mind. And as I stood there in the midst of four crying kiddos, I felt the gentle call to remember to who it is I'm working for. Why I get up everyday and care for these munchkins. Why I am pouring my life into raising these 4+ blessings. And that they are indeed BLESSINGS. And that it's ALL for God's Glory and His Kingdom.

So dear mama, if you are having a tough morning. Or a tough day. Or a tough year...hang in there. Some days are tough and God doesn't promise that our life and our days will be all cupcakes and sprinkles.

So where do we turn? What do we do when we feel that familiar tug of overwhelm threaten to engulf us? Here are a few ideas to help you have a heart and attitude change in the midst of a really tough mama day:

Encouragement for those long weary Mom days

Make sure you read your bible

This really needs to be your #1 priority. If you are having one of those long tough days, endeavor to sit down and read your Bible, if only for 10 minutes.

I know that in the midst of chaos, such as this morning when I had four crying, hungry, cranky kids, I couldn't ignore them to sit and read my Bible right then. But I had already done by daily Bible reading that morning while the house was still and the kiddos were sleeping.

I armed my heart and my mind to think about God from the very first thing this morning and I know it really helped me to battle that overwhelm when the chaos started. So if you already did your Bible reading, try and think about and remember what you read that morning.

And if you haven't read your Bible yet, or want to spend more time reading (which is always a good plan), endeavor to find a few minutes as soon as you can!

If you need some help establishing a daily habit of Bible reading, I highly recommend you check out my free eCourse: Finding Joy in Your Home - essential habits for Christian homemakers. In lesson #3 I cover the habits of daily Bible reading and prayer. 

Pray

Seriously, stop right in the middle of chaos and pray. If you can barely spare a second, then a quick "Lord, please give me strength, wisdom, and patience today" will do.