Exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if you’re failing as a parent? In this episode, discover how God gently carries you as you care for your kids, giving special grace to those who are worn out and “have young.”

Have you ever found yourself hiding in the bathroom, sitting on the edge of the tub or the floor, just to get thirty seconds to breathe before someone calls your name again?

The house is a mess. Someone always needs something. You’re juggling work, meals, homework, maybe church commitments, and somewhere in there you’re supposed to be patient, joyful, and spiritually “on.” Instead, you feel bone-tired, behind, and quietly ashamed, wondering, “Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.”

In this episode, Bart shares the story of a young mom sitting on the bathroom floor, trying not to sob loud enough for the kids to hear. She loves her children and she loves Jesus, but she feels like she’s failing at both. Instead of shutting down and pushing through alone, she reaches out for help—and that simple step becomes the doorway to hope.

Through her story and the promise of Isaiah 40:11, you’ll see a picture of God that tired parents desperately need. He is not a distant taskmaster telling you to “do better.” He is a Shepherd who “will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”

The lambs in His arms are your kids. The mother sheep He gently leads is you.

Bart talks about how author Sarah Mae, in her desperation, reached out to older mom Sally Clarkson. Out of their honest conversations came the book Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe, and a clearer view of a God who isn’t waiting for moms to be stronger, He is already holding them in the middle of sleepless nights, sticky floors, and overwhelming days. Her story reminds us that parenting was never meant to be a solo project. The same God who loves your children is gently carrying you, too.

You’ll be encouraged to trade silent shame for honest prayer and real support, to stop believing that “real” Christians handle this without struggling, and to see your exhaustion not as a failure, but as an invitation to lean on your Shepherd.

Main Scripture:

Isaiah 40:11 (NLT) –

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”

By the end of this episode, you’ll be reminded:

• That God sees your exhaustion and has special tenderness for parents “who have young.”
• That He is carrying your children close to His heart and gently leading you at a pace that takes your limits seriously.
• That reaching out for help is not weakness; it’s wisdom.
• That you are not parenting alone, your Shepherd is with you in every bedtime battle, carpool run, and messy kitchen.

Today’s Challenge:

Sometime in the next 24 hours, take just one minute, sixty seconds, to pray Isaiah 40:11 over yourself. You might be standing at the sink, buckling a car seat, or collapsing onto the couch.

Pray something like, “Lord, You said You would carry the lambs in Your arms and gently lead the mother sheep with their young. That’s me. I’m tired and stretched thin. Please carry my kids, and carry me too. Lead me gently today.”

If you can, write Isaiah 40:11 on a note and put it where you’ll see it often, on the fridge, by the changing table, on your nightstand, as a quiet reminder that you are not doing this alone.

Encouraged by today’s devotion?

Share this episode with a tired parent who needs to know they’re seen and supported by God. A simple link from you might be the breath of hope they need today.

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