Many years ago, when I was a much younger mom, I wrote this piece for Homeschool Subjects. Today, as a mom who has raised all her children and now gets the joy of watching them walk as adults—and even love on grandchildren—I can honestly say: I believe this message more wholeheartedly than ever.
I’m sharing this from a much younger version of me… but with a deeper, richer conviction shaped by years of seeing God’s faithfulness.
Yesterday was a bad day for me.
I was stressed. I was irritable. I felt like Chicken Little shouting, “the sky is falling!” everywhere I went. Things that shouldn’t have affected me at all made me very angry. I allowed myself to react completely out of control.
It was awful.
Last night at prayer meeting, the Lord reminded me of a study I had done some time ago. A passage mentioned in passing caught my heart again—Mark chapter 1, describing one of the busiest recorded days in Jesus’ life. He cast out demons, taught, healed the sick, and traveled from place to place.
And then… early the next morning, He withdrew to a quiet place to pray.
It wasn’t long before the disciples came looking for Him: “Everyone is searching for You!”
I can almost hear the panic—because I’ve felt it myself.
Where is Jesus when we need Him??
But His response wasn’t frustration. It wasn’t exhaustion spilling over. It wasn’t, “Give me a break—I served all day yesterday!”
Instead, He simply said:
“Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came.”
That was why He was here.
Everything He did—every response, every decision—flowed from that purpose.
Can you relate?
What does your busiest day look like? Teaching, dishes, laundry, meals, errands, activities, church, responsibilities…
And what happens when someone needs just one more thing?
When your child interrupts again?
When you’re already stretched thin?
If I’m honest—my response hasn’t always looked like Jesus’.
That day, I failed. Again.
But the Lord gently reminded me: “That’s why you’re here.”
I am here to shepherd that child who keeps asking what to do next.
I am here to guide hearts—young and growing.
I am here to love, to serve, to disciple.
That is not an interruption of my purpose… it is my purpose.
And yet, so much of our exhaustion comes not from what God has called us to… but from what we’ve added ourselves.
Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
So why do we feel so overwhelmed?
A friend once shared something on Facebook that really got my attention:
“God has called us to be somewhere… not everywhere.”
How often do we sacrifice our somewhere on the altar of everywhere?
Let me say this as someone now on the other side of the daily grind of raising children:
The somewhere matters more than you think.
Those ordinary days…
The conversations, the consistency, the presence…
The moments that feel small and repetitive…
They are not small to God.
They are Kingdom work.
If I could sit across from my younger self, I would gently tell her:
Slow down.
Pay attention to your “somewhere.”
Don’t trade it for the illusion of “everywhere.”
Because one day, you’ll look back and realize…
That was the most important place you were ever called to be.
Oh friends, may we not sacrifice this beautiful somewhere on the altar of everywhere.
May we remember, in the middle of the chaos and the calling:
That’s why we’re here.
With love💕 and prayers,
We would love to see you at Teach Them Diligently 2026. Join us in Pigeon Forge, TN on May 7-9 or Branson, MO on May 14-16. Get your tickets here.
