Guest Post by Anonymous

I initially considered sharing this within my private group, but I felt moved to share it here with you instead. Whether you are a stay-at-home mother, a wife, or simply navigating the demands of a busy life, we all share a universal need: to feel lifted, supported, and loved.

In our house, I explain it to my children through the concept of the “Love Bucket.” When we are giving so much of ourselves daily—pouring out our energy, time, and spirit into those we love—our internal reservoir eventually runs dry. When that bucket is depleted, we need a way to fill it back up.

The Weight of Expectations

For a long time, I struggled with the pressure of expectations. I have felt that “flight” response since I was very young—that immediate internal panic when I feel I’ve let someone down or disrupted their schedule. I’m learning, however, that while I cannot control the reactions or opinions of others, I can control my own pace.

I now intentionally move at a slower rhythm. I guard my calendar closely, and when I feel overwhelmed, I recognize it as a signal that my expectations for myself have become too high. I have to reach for grace, even when it’s difficult to grasp.

Prayer in the Mundane

The primary way I refill my bucket is through our Lord. To some, finding time for prayer amidst the chaos of family life seems impossible, but I’ve found that the secret lies in the “middle” of the work.

Take laundry, for example. Instead of complaining, I’ve started using that time for prayer. I thank God for the task, because having laundry means I have been blessed with a family to care for. It means my body is strong enough and my mind is clear enough to complete the work. When I offer these chores up to Him, my heart is restored. The crankiness fades, and the love becomes overwhelming again.

Lessons from a Climbing Child

Even in the moments that test my patience—like when my strong-willed youngest daughter decides to climb to the very top of the closet—I pray. Instead of giving in to the overwhelm of her wild spirit, I ask: “Lord, what am I supposed to learn from this? How can I better guide the beautiful child You’ve entrusted to me?”

I am still very much a work in progress. I don’t have it all together; I make mistakes and I lose my patience. But as long as there is “today,” there is time to let Him take the reins and create a more peaceful version of myself for those around me.

How do you refill your reservoir? What simple gestures or prayers lift you up when you’re running on empty?