Dear Judgmental Fly on the Wall
The pause was the point.
“You’re a bad mom.”
At least, that’s what it might’ve looked like this morning.
I binged Sweet Magnolias.
My kids slept in until nearly noon.
And when they finally got up?
They made their own breakfast.
(Okay…brunch.)
But here’s what the judgmental fly on the wall didn’t see:
This week alone, my kids went to a trampoline park, the driving range, the movies.
Last night, we closed out the day with an immersive gamebox experience that was more physical than my knees were ready for (pic below).
In between?
Library workshops.
Family game nights.
Home-cooked meals.
Lemon blueberry muffins fresh out of the oven.
And yep, we still did 1-2 hours of schoolwork a day.
I’m not sharing this to brag.
I’m sharing it to say:
We all need a break.
And sometimes that pause is exactly what God is calling us to.
One reason you might be fantasizing about tying your clothes into a handkerchief, slinging it over a Swiffer handle, and running away into the night…
…is because you’re scared someone’s gonna see you resting and call you a terrible mother.
Please hear this:
God doesn’t see you as lazy when you rest.
He sees you as His daughter who’s poured out so much that He’s inviting you to be still for a moment and receive.
Not because you earned it.
But because He’s good.
You don’t work your way into rest with God. You start from it.
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
~Matthew 11:28
This rest isn’t a break from what matters. It is what matters.
Because before you were a mom, a wife, a worker, a scheduler, an everything-for-everyone…
You were His.
So, forget the opinions of people who aren’t with you 24/7.
They haven’t seen the hours you’ve poured out.
They don’t know how long you’ve been carrying it all.
They don’t know what obedience looks like for you right now.
And please, don’t turn into one of those people yourself; quietly judging another mom for choosing stillness over striving.
Let’s agree:
We don’t know the full story.
We all deserve rest.
And recliners were absolutely made for moms.
So girl, make that date with your couch, bed or favorite chair.
Turn on your show.
Take a nap.
Let them eat cereal for dinner.
Not only are you a good mom…
You’ll be a good mom with ENERGY.
(Yes. Unicorns do exist.)
So does grace. So does peace. So does the God who gave you both.
Journal Prompt
Hey mama, if this hit home, take a few minutes to reflect (no pressure, just honesty):
What’s one moment of rest or play I felt guilty about recently… and what was the truth behind it?
What do I wish someone would say to me when I’m feeling overwhelmed?
What would it look like to honor my limits this week without guilt?
Want more quick, reflective prompts like this? That’s exactly what the Wellthy Mama Guided Self-Love Journal was made for: 15 minutes, 30 lists, and zero pressure to be perfect. Just a quiet space to meet yourself and God.