God's Strength Carries You Through Parenthood

There's a particular kind of tired that only parents know. It isn't the tired that a good night's sleep fixes, because a good night's sleep hasn't happened in a while. It's the tired of being needed at three in the morning and again at six. It's the tired of packing lunches, answering the same question four times, refereeing arguments over the last cookie, and then lying awake wondering if you're doing any of it right. If that's you tonight, I want you to know God is not embarrassed by your exhaustion. He has something to say to it. Listen to the prophet Isaiah. Haven't you known? Haven't you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't faint. He isn't weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31) Here's the first thing this passage says to you: God knows you're tired, and He never is. Isaiah says of God, He isn't weary. His understanding is unsearchable. (Isaiah 40:28) Two truths sit side by side there. He never runs out, and He fully understands. He isn't a distant employer wondering why you're behind. He is the One who made the ends of the earth and also knows exactly how many times you got up last night. Nothing about your weariness is hidden from Him, and nothing about it drains Him. So here's what to do with that. Stop pretending. Before you get out of bed tomorrow, or in the car in the driveway before you walk in the door, say it out loud to God: "Lord, I'm worn out." That's not a complaint. That's prayer. Isaiah's whole argument starts with God knowing what we don't have. You can't receive strength while you're insisting you don't need any. Second: His power is available to you right now, not someday. Look at the words: He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. (Isaiah 40:29) Notice who qualifies. Not the strong. Not the parent who has it together. The weak. The one with no might left. That's the entrance requirement, and you meet it. God's help is not a reward for holding it together. It's a gift for those who can't. Practically, this means you go to Him first, not last. Most of us drain the tank all day, then crawl to God at midnight with what's left. Flip it. Five minutes in the morning with the Bible open, even one verse, even while the coffee brews. Ask for strength for this day, the way the Lord taught us to ask for daily bread. Small and steady beats heroic and rare. Third: He will renew you so you can keep going. But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31) Waiting here isn't sitting idle. It's leaning your whole weight on God like a tired child leaning on a parent's shoulder. And look at what He promises: eagles, running, and walking. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) Some seasons of parenting feel like soaring. Most feel like walking. God promises strength for the walking too, and honestly, that's the miracle you need most. So here's the challenge. This week, quit trying to be the everlasting God in your home. That job is taken, and He's better at it than you. Raise your children faithfully, one ordinary day at a time, and let Him carry what you cannot. Your children don't need a parent who never tires. They need a parent who knows where to go when they do. Father, You never faint and You never grow weary. We do. Meet us in our tiredness. Give power to the weak, and let us walk tomorrow without fainting. Hold our children in Your hands. In Jesus' name, amen.