³² So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. ³³ But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”

37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”

Jesus knew the value of spending time alone with God.  It was how He drew strength from His Father.  He was as human as his disciples, and He knew they all needed a break.  They needed to be able to go off by themselves to a quiet place to rest.  

Photo by Scott Liddel

It sounds like Jesus would be able to relate to all the mommies of young children who are probably begging for the same thing.  We just need to be able to go off by ourselves for some quiet alone-time once in a while.  We need to get alone with God and draw strength from our Father.  I usually try to do this in the morning when my kids are still asleep.  I purposely get up an hour earlier than what I “have to” just to spend time alone with God.  It is truly what gets me through my day.  It fills me with the strength and joy of the Lord. 

One morning I was feeling especially exhausted.  I was desperate for some time alone with a cup of coffee and my Bible.  Just as I sat down and started reading the Word I was interrupted by a cry from the bedroom.  I glanced up at the clock.  “Seriously? Already?”  I thought begrudgingly.  Then I remembered this passage.  I had a choice: I could be frustrated with my kids for not allowing me to have this time with God, or I could do what Jesus did and have compassion on them.  

Jesus knew well what it was like to never get a second to Himself.  He understood what it was like to not even have a second to eat.  He and his disciples were surely desperate for some time alone, but when they didn’t get it, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people.  So that’s what they did.  They put their own needs aside and served them.  Actually, it was here that Jesus performed one of his biggest miracles and fed 5,000+ with five loaves of bread and two fish.  Could you imagine if Jesus and his disciples would have been selfish and sent the people away?  Everyone there would have missed out on one of Jesus’ biggest miracles.  After they finished serving the people, they were finally able to be alone.  Jesus then when up the hill and prayed by himself.  

Next time you sit down to a cold dinner plate after taking care of everyone else, remember that Jesus knew the feeling.  When you miss out on the time alone that you are so desperate for, remember this story.  You can send your kids away, put the TV on or hide yourself in the bathroom (yes, I admit, I have done it), or you can call on God and ask for a fishes and loaves kind of miracle with your time and energy.  Don’t miss out on what He can do with the little that we have.  He is the God of miracles. You will get your time alone, but don’t miss out on what God wants to do here and now.  And remember, yes, this role as mom is terribly exhausting, overwhelming and just plain hard, but God has equipped you to give those children of yours exactly what they need.  Keep going, dear sisters.  Keep pouring yourself out.  Keep making your time alone with the Lord your priority, and He will fill you up to overflowing so that you can keep pouring His love out to all those around you.    

Oh Lord, Thank you! Thank you for filling us up and for the daily miracles you provide in our lives.  Father, fill us up to overflowing.  Provide loaves and fishes miracles with our time, our energy, and everything we could possibly give of ourselves.  Thank you that you have chosen each one of us specifically for the children you have gifted us with.  I need you, Lord.  Help me to be the mom you have called me to be.  Strengthen me.  Equip me. Empower me. Guide me.  I love you, my Lord.  Amen.