The Lonely Mom

This time of year always gets me. When the leaves begin to fall and the crispness of the season finds its way into the lonely cracks of my soul, my gut instinct is to hibernate. To pull those comfy blankets up around my shoulders and vow to stay holed up inside my cozy abode until spring.

But loneliness is more than just a staying at home thing.

We isolate ourselves in so many ways.

Ignoring texts from a well-meaning friend.

Pushing off being a part of a much-needed Bible study.

Choosing to hide in the church nursery rather than engage with other moms cheerfully chatting in the hallway.

We find excuse after excuse why we can’t be the one responsible for building a bridge of fellowship. {I mean, really. Who has time for such long-term projects?}

Sometimes friendship seems to take So. Much. Effort. And answering those texts and returning those phone calls requires more energy than we have stored up in our mothering tanks.

Because we’re tired mamas. We’re stressed-out mamas. And our everyday is often defined by frazzled emotions and frantic schedules stretched tighter than a hard-working rubberband.

But loneliness can leave its mark — zapping us of joy and depleting our sense of wholeness.

For the stay-at-home mom who finds it hard to get up and get dressed to make herself presentable enough to be around another group of moms…

For the working mom who doesn’t have time for weekend playdates or mid-week lunch breaks, and is so exhausted by the end of the week that a “girls night out” sounds like just one more thing instead of much needed refreshment…

For the single mom who stays up late paying bills and wakes up early to be both mom and dad to her children…

FOR EVERY MOM…

God sees you. And YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

As the cooler months creep in upon us, we have to fight the desire to hunker down and hibernate in our homes.

We have to FIGHT for FRIENDSHIP and FELLOWSHIP

and invite others into the warmth along with us.

For God has made us beings that need one another. To be fueled by time spent with other members of the body of Christ. To learn and grow and challenge each other.

And in the togetherness, we feel a sense of family. In the comfort and security of fellowship, we can bask in His love which covers all. Like a big ol’ fuzzy friendship blanket.

So don’t cut yourself off from those you need, and those who need you.

For God sees you, dear sweet mama. And He did not mean for you to walk this road alone.

 

What’s your favorite part of friendship? (The hugs, the understanding sighs, the laughter, the prayers, the tears… ) We would love to hear. Because we need one another. And being an integral part of community means sharing the important stuff. So go ahead, we’re listening.

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Anne-Renee Gumley

Anne-Renee is a full-time mom who works part-time at her family's party store. She has two children who keep her laughing, a husband who keeps her smiling, and an itch for writing that just won't go away.
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