Will it be easy to find peace in the middle of the Easter rush? No!
Will the world try to steal your focus with plastic eggs, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to have the "perfect" Sunday outfit? Absolutely.
But here is the Truth: You were not created to be a hollow shell of a woman, running on caffeine and nervous energy. You were created to be a vessel of the Holy Spirit, a woman whose cup overflows because she knows how to sit at the feet of her King. As we move deeper into this Easter season, the very season where we celebrate the ultimate victory over death, the Enemy wants nothing more than to keep you distracted. He knows that a distracted woman is a powerless woman. He knows that if he can keep you "busy," he can keep you from the very Presence that restores your soul.
It is time to reclaim your peace. It is time to practice the art of stillness.
Fact #1: Stillness is a Spiritual Discipline, Not a Luxury
We often treat "quiet time" like a bonus feature of the Christian life, something we get to if the laundry is folded and the kids are asleep. This is a Lie from the pits of hell! Stillness is the soil where your roots grow deep. Without it, you are an uprooted plant, tumbling around in the wind of every seasonal stressor.
Spiritual Truth:
"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.'" , Psalm 46:10
When you stop moving, you acknowledge that He is God and you are not. You surrender the "hustle" and accept His grace. This Easter, we are trading our frantic pace for His perfect peace.
1. Engage in Contemplative Prayer
Most of our prayers are "shopping lists." We go to God with our needs, our fears, and our requests. While He wants to hear it all, contemplative prayer is different. It is the act of sitting in His presence and just being.
Think of it as a divine coffee date where you don't have to say a word. You are just enjoying His company. For the busy mom, this might mean five minutes of silence before the house wakes up. For the earthy, all-natural woman, this might mean sitting on your porch, feeling the wind He created, and simply whispered, "Lord, I am here. Speak to my heart."
How to Battle the Distraction:
The moment your mind starts wandering to the grocery list, pull it back. Use a single word like "Jesus" or "Abba" to anchor your thoughts. This isn't about clearing your mind; it’s about filling your heart with Him.
2. Practice Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading)
If you find yourself reading the Bible just to check it off your list, you are missing the feast! Lectio Divina is an ancient way of slow reading that allows the Word to breathe. Instead of a whole chapter, take three or four verses about the Resurrection. Read them once. Read them again. What word jumps out at you?
This is where your bible highlighting guide becomes a weapon of war. Don’t just read; engage. Highlight the promises of God. Mark the attributes of Jesus that shine through the text. When you physically interact with the Word, it moves from the page into your spirit.
Truth vs. Lie:
- Lie: "I don't have enough time to study the Bible deeply today."
- Truth: Five minutes of deeply soaking in one verse is more transformative than fifteen minutes of skimming three chapters while your mind is on the laundry.
Using tools like Bible tabs can help you navigate to those peace-filled Psalms or the Gospel narratives quickly, making your limited time even more effective. You are stewarding your time to give God the best of your focus, not just the leftovers.
3. Use Your Faith Based Planner as a Shield
Stewardship is a spiritual calling. How we manage our time is a direct reflection of our priorities. If your schedule is overflowing with things that don’t feed your soul or serve your family, it’s time to prune the garden.
Take out your faith based planner and look at the week leading up to Easter. Where are the "pockets of peace"? If they aren't there, you must schedule them.
What to Do:
- Block off "Sabbath Moments": Even 15 minutes a day marked in your planner as "With the King."
- Say "No" to the Good to say "Yes" to the Best: If an extra event or craft is going to steal your peace, let it go.
- Write Down Your Vision: Use the notes section of your planner to write down one word that describes how you want to feel on Easter morning. (Peaceful? Joyful? Rested?)
4. Gospel Visualization
Our imaginations are often the playground for the Enemy: we imagine the worst-case scenarios, we replay our failures, and we worry about the future. It’s time to take your imagination back for the Kingdom!
This Easter season, spend time visualizing the scenes of the Cross and the Empty Tomb. Imagine you are standing in the garden when the stone was rolled away. Feel the warmth of the sunrise. Hear the voice of Jesus calling your name, just as He called Mary’s. This isn't just a "nice exercise"; it’s a way to make the Sacrifice and the Victory tangible in your own life.
Spiritual Truth:
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." : 2 Corinthians 10:5
5. Rooted and Grounded: Earthy Self-Care
For my sisters who feel closest to God in the dirt and the sun, use the changing season to refill your cup. Easter is the ultimate symbol of new life. Go outside. Plant something. Feel the soil.
As you pull weeds, pray about the "weeds" of bitterness or anxiety in your own heart. As you water your plants, thank the Lord for the Living Water that never runs dry. This is a lifestyle of worship: recognizing Him in every leaf and every blossom.
How to Battle the "Busy" Mindset:
When the world tells you that "self-care" is about buying more things, remind yourself that true self-care is about returning to your Source. It’s about being a steward of the body and mind He gave you.
The Wake-Up Call: Stop Running, Start Resting
I’ve been there, friend. I’ve spent Easters so stressed about the ham being cooked and the kids behaving that I completely missed the miracle. I was "doing" for God but I wasn't "being" with Him. I was a Martha when my soul desperately needed to be a Mary.
The world will tell you that you are "behind." The Enemy will tell you that you aren't doing enough as a mother. But Jesus? Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).
Truth vs. Lie:
- Lie: My value is found in how much I get done today.
- Truth: My value is found in whose I am. I am a daughter of the Most High King, and He loves me in my stillness just as much as He loves me in my service.
Refilling Your Cup This Week
If you are feeling drained, don't wait until Easter Sunday to seek the Lord. Start today.
- Track your time: Where is your peace leaking out? Is it social media? Comparison?
- Cleanse your space: Create a small corner in your home that is just for you and God. Maybe it has your Bible, your stationery accessories, and a candle.
- Breathe: Take a deep breath and remind yourself that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you.
You are a masterpiece, a key part of His plan for your family and your community. Don't let the noise of the world drown out the melody of His grace. Reclaim your stillness. Reclaim your peace. He is waiting for you in the quiet.
Stay rooted in Him,
Charlet 🌿✨
