Who Just Needs A Minute

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.

AFTER THE MOVING TRUCK LEFT, I (Susan) stood in the empty bedroom closet and thought about all the things that had been stored there over the years. Of course, it’s where I kept my clothes, but it’s also where I stashed family pictures and artwork that I didn’t want to store in the garage.

That closet didn’t just hold items; it held moments. I’d often retreat to that quiet place where the clothes muffled any sound. It became a sanctuary and a refuge where even my thoughts quieted down. When something overwhelming happened and I needed to have a private phone conversation with one of my sisters, my mom, or my best friend, this was my retreat. When I just needed to pour out my heart to God, I would sit on the floor between the coats and have what I called “just a moment.”

On this particular day, I knew I was standing in this closet for the last time to think about the memories it held. The Lord was leading us to our next space.

Perhaps you have your own quiet place for when you need to be alone. There were moments when even Jesus needed to withdraw. Scripture tells us about one particularly poignant time after His cousin, John the Baptist, was killed. John had been a strong voice, calling people to repentance and calling out the sin that separated them from God. No one’s sin was off-limits; John publicly rebuked even those in high governmental positions. Because of this, he was thrown in prison and ultimately put to death.

John was the same cousin who had leapt in his mother’s womb when Jesus’s mother, Mary, came to visit Elizabeth. This is the cousin who had baptized Jesus in the River Jordan and heard the voice from heaven declaring, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). We might assume they had seen each other regularly throughout their childhoods at family events and at the Temple on feast days. John was important to Jesus’s life and ministry. So when Jesus heard the news of John’s death, “he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”

Momma, it is okay to take a moment for yourself when you need one, but especially when you receive news that is particularly hard to bear. It’s okay to take a moment for yourself to shed tears that will only be seen by your heavenly Father. It’s okay to take a moment to remember that God understands your grief. You have a Savior who is sympathetic to your sufferings.

Friend, life can often be overwhelming, and just because you are a momma does not mean you have to process everything for all the world to see. It’s okay to step back when you can and find a place just for yourself and Jesus.

Tonight we pray for the momma who needs a minute. Lord, she might need a minute to think, to breathe, or to be alone. She might need a minute to process the news or sadness or her own racing thoughts. She might need a minute when she isn’t the one in charge of making decisions. Lord, You see this momma and all she needs. Help her find the moment her heart craves, and meet her in it. Give her space to laugh, cry, vent, or breathe deeply with You. Thank You for caring about this momma’s heart and mind. Wrap her in Your peace.

We ask in Jesus’s name, amen.

Jesus, I ask for Your peace about . . .