Every single day, women are masters at pouring out. We raise and nurture our children. We support our husbands. We encourage our friends. And in certain seasons, we’re called to care for family members with medical needs.
In my own seasons of pouring out, especially as I cared for my sister after her heart transplant and my son during a medical emergency, I learned that it’s crucial to refill. Just like a dried-out sponge is useless to fulfill its purpose, I can’t pour anything into the life of another if I haven’t filled up with the water of life that Jesus offers.
The reality is, though, during times when the most is demanded of me, my time is severely limited. As I supported my family members through their medical crises, life pulled me in a million directions. Some days I could barely catch my breath, let alone carve out time to read my Bible or pray.
I’m so thankful that God was faithful in those seasons to meet me where I was, and I learned to refill in different ways than I would have during the calmer waters of life.
If you’re in a season of pouring out – whether caregiving or going through a hard season of raising your child – I hope these ideas will prompt you to see the opportunities right in front of you.
1. Crank up the music.
Whether you’re alone or with the person you’re pouring into, music is powerful therapy. It can calm an anxious mind, soothe a weary soul, and lift a frown into a smile. It can also be a tool to draw you closer to God. Even in the midst of the busiest schedule, you could turn on worship songs while you drive from one place to next. Allow God to speak to you, and make the words of the song a prayer from your own heart.
2. Keep God’s Word handy.
During calmer seasons of life, I love to spend time studying my Life Application Bible and taking notes. But when others need me or if I’m called away from home to care for someone, it’s hard to keep the habit going. Not only is my Bible thick and heavy, but my schedule doesn’t allow for longer chunks of time to dive deep into Bible study.
In pouring out seasons, I’ve learned to keep God’s Word handy wherever I am. This means having a smaller devotion book or a Bible app on my phone, so I can open it when I have a short three-minute window to read. Or it might mean downloading a version of the Bible onto my Kindle so that I have God’s Word handy without taking up as much space.
3. Embrace the quiet moments you’re given.
When a young child or sick family member needs you, it’s highly unlikely that your schedule is predictable and stable. You may struggle to see when time with God could happen, but here’s the beauty of pouring out seasons: Even when we feel empty, God’s presence is with us right where we are.
As you go about your day, stay attuned to the small windows of time you’re given. A child’s brief nap can be a few minutes to read a Psalm. A rare minute alone can be a time of breathing deep and thanking God for His peace. A sleepless night can be filled with prayers for others who are pouring out just like you.
These brief, quiet moments will add drops of life, keeping you soft and pliable for whatever God has asked of you in this season. Trust that He is with you, and He can fill every parched place in your soul.
