In His Hands
When a baby is put in the hands of someone unfamiliar, he or she fidgets and expresses disapproval. In Filipino, we call this nangingilala. But once returned to family, the baby’s restless whimpers quickly subside and his or her sweet smile returns. I had observed this same quiet ease in my young daughter while in the hands of her dad. She felt secure and free of any care. This scene showed me the solution to the restlessness I had been feeling.
When I was a young mother, there were days when I felt like I would get so little done. Because of this, I would try to do more but end up dissatisfied. Perhaps spending a day with friends was what I needed. But after all the fun and laughter, the gnawing feeling would still be there. How about a change of scenery or more sleep?
Seeing our daughter resting in her dad’s arms reminded me where to find rest for my fidgety soul. I realized I had been rushing into my day, my work, and my chores without first spending one-on-one time with the Lord. He is ready to attend to my weary soul. The psalmist in Psalm 62:1 declares without apology that his soul finds rest in no one and nothing else but God. For how can anything temporary, such as accomplishments, earthly relationships, and entertainment, address the needs of my soul? Only the presence of our eternal Father can.
Prayer
Everlasting Father, thank You for being a safe refuge for my soul. Teach me to hide in You until my heart finds the rest that it needs to equip me for the day ahead. Amen.
Call to Action
Decide to begin your day in His Presence and R.E.S.T. in His loving arms: Recall His goodness. Focus on His nature and His blessings and give thanks. Examine His Word and your heart. Take time to listen to His voice and His quiet instructions on an area in your life He wants you to work on. Seek His forgiveness. Trade your worries for His peace. Cast each care into His able arms.
This is an excerpt from Devotions for Teacher-Moms by Felichi Pangilinan-Simpao and Donna Pangilinan-Simpao, available at OMF Lit Bookshops, shop.omflit.com, Shopee, and Lazada for P275.
“What a beautiful image the Lord provides for our learning environment—children learning from a humble teacher, children finding rest instead of distress from a teacher who’s gentle and humble”
Mothers already carry a ton of responsibilities at home, at work, and in the community. Now, they are also Teacher-Moms to their children, either in homeschooling or remote learning. This can feel overwhelming.
Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon and Donna Pangilinan Simpao, Teacher-Moms who saw their children through decades of home learning, know how it is. They’ve experienced being exhausted, discouraged, and doubt-filled. In this weekly devotional, they offer fellow Teacher-Moms encouragement for the times when they feel overburdened and practical tips on teaching and pressing on.