04/15/2026
Good morning mommas! Thanks to all who joined us last night for our April meeting. It was a great, intimate discussion about mental health, wellness, and wellbeing with Chip Pierce of YFC. Laura and I will post notes and resources that he shared last night once he sends them over to us.
In the meantime, I wanted to share my morning devotional about stillness. It’s so good. It’s a perfect reminder for us stressed and overwhelmed mommas to pray over. We talked a little about this last night, so more to come but please take some time to reflect on our Good Shepherd, carrying our burdens for us because He loves us so much. Have a great day!
JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD
You might be exhausted right now — and not just physically. Soul-exhaustion is real. It's the kind of tired that sleep doesn't fix and a holiday doesn't cure. It's what happens when you've been carrying more than you were designed to carry for longer than any person should.
Psalm 23 doesn't open with a task. It opens with a posture: "I have all that I need." Before David describes any green meadow or peaceful stream, he names the One who provides them. The rest flows from the relationship.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd — and a good shepherd doesn't drive the sheep. He leads them. There's a world of difference between being driven and being led. Being driven creates exhaustion, fear, and resentment. Being led creates trust, rest, and direction. The sheep follow not because they're forced, but because they know the voice.
You are not meant to white-knuckle your way through this season. You are not meant to keep striving until you collapse. The Good Shepherd is actively leading you toward something — toward green meadows that look like Sabbath, toward peaceful streams that look like time in His Word, toward right paths that only become visible when you slow down enough to notice them.
But here's what the psalm shows us: the sheep have to follow. Rest isn't automatic. It's chosen. Every day, you choose whether to run ahead of the Shepherd or to trust His pace.
Soul-exhaustion doesn't resolve itself. But it does meet its match in Jesus, who says: Come. Bring the weight. Lay it down. I know where the green meadows are. Let me lead you there.
Reflection: What part of your soul feels most depleted right now, and what would it look like to let the Good Shepherd lead you toward rest in that very area?
Call to Action: Identify one area of your life where you've been striving rather than following. Pray specifically about that area, asking Jesus to take the lead.
Prayer: Good Shepherd, I have been running when You were inviting me to follow. Lead me to the still waters today — in my mind, my heart, and my spirit. I trust Your pace. Amen.
Verses:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
Psalms 23:1-3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.23.1-3.NLT
“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
John 10:9-11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.10.9-11.NLT
