by Jessica Molina
Jan. 19, 2026
Christmas is over, New Year’s was festive, and now you’re all rested and refreshed and ready to get back into your routines and schoolwork, right?
Just kidding! It is far more likely that you have finally gotten your house back from all the holiday craze of hosting and traveling. You were all set to sit and take 5 minutes for yourself with a hot coffee when you realized: those vacation days you thought you had are all gone! Now, you’re not sure how to get back into it while you’re experiencing the whiplash …
We’ve got you!
You’re Not Alone
First, know you’re not alone. Winter blues are a real thing and even though it seems like so many people are enjoying the newness of the year and inspired by their resolutions, you are not the odd one out struggling to get out of bed on these chilly mornings. Even when it seems impossible to get out of bed, remember what our Lord has said,
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5 (ESV)
You are not alone because the Lord is with you. He will carry you and shepherd you through every to-do list item today. His list might be different than yours, and that’s okay. Pray for His strength in your weakness and watch Him work in and through you for your good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
Remember, Plans are Requests
Second, remember that your plans are requests. We pray that our delight will be in His will, but many times, we are so stuck in our own frame of mind, we forget to keep the main thing the main thing.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” -Proverbs 16:9
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act.” -Psalm 37:3-5
Stop dwelling on what was not accomplished yesterday; do not worry about tomorrow as it will worry for itself. Sufficient for today is its own trouble (Matthew 6:34). Pray over your plans and hold them in surrender to His will. This way, when curveballs come, even when you’re unprepared, you are looking to Him for strength and guidance, instead of trying to cling to plan A while meditating on your backups, plan B, C, and D in your own head.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.”-Galatians 5:22-23
No matter how the day goes, you can submit to the sanctifying work of the Spirit to cultivate His fruit within you.
Our Role is a Blessing
Third, mamas, remember your role.
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” -Colossians 3:18
Despite what our culture tells us, this is one of the most freeing instructions our loving and gracious Heavenly Father has provided. If you have a husband who is walking with the Lord, allow him to lead you. The Lord has appointed him for a special purpose for both of your sanctification.
If you’re not sure what the priority is, ask your husband. If you don’t know if you should say, “Yes,” to another thing, talk to your husband about it. If you are feeling pressure to finish every page of that curriculum, ask your husband if he believes this is a high priority activity for the family. He will answer to the Lord for his leadership.
“… but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious … Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way …” -1 Peter 3:4, 7a
Your identity will not be measured by that finished curriculum or that completed grammar book, or even by your finished to-do list or your children’s behavior; but by your faithfulness. And your husband will give an answer for his faithfulness to lead his wife and children with understanding.
On a very serious note, if your experience with your spouse does not reflect the kindness of God, I would urge you to connect with your church leadership in order to seek counsel in how to proceed and best glorify the Lord in the circumstances you are in.
Find Your Rhythms and Routines
Fourth, find a rhythm. I like rhythms and routines rather than schedules. Schedules make me feel like I have to accomplish certain tasks by certain times, and if I have to address a character problem, inappropriate behavior, or a disciplinary issue with one of my children, the day is over before it begins. So, I like the freedom of lists and habits.
For instance, we have a morning routine:
brush teeth
make bed
get dressed
tidy bedroom
Simple enough tasks that my three-year-old can accomplish on his own and my ten-year-old knows what needs to happen before we start the day. Then we have the morning rhythm (generally) basket time:
doxology
pray
Bible
hymn
pray
Sometimes, the Bible passage is from a science chapter, history, or maybe a book we are reading; but we have the rhythm, and then we finish in prayer over our day, moving onto the next rhythm.
Consider the routines and habits you already have in place. What is working and necessary? What do you want to change? Choose one thing to adjust this week and work with your family to make it a habit.
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” -Proverbs 21:5
It has taken days, weeks, maybe months to build up habits (good or bad); it will take time and intention to change them.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven …” -Ecclesiastes 3:1
Over days, weeks, and months, there are seasons and time changes and adjustments to rhythms. Don’t be afraid to adjust those routines as these natural phases occur. The sun does not wake up at the same time every morning, and neither will you; and that’s okay. Adjust according to the changing seasons - He created them to enjoy the beauty in each one.
Be Strong and Pray
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” -Ephesians 6:10
Prayers and Blessings in this new year and new season, mamas (and the dads who are reading, too)!
Jessica
-A fellow homeschooling mama who needs to read the same message she just wrote!
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Jessica is a homeschooling mom of four, ages three to ten. She has been married for 11 years to her husband, Paul, and has been so grateful for the privilege of being a stay-at-home mama. She is so blessed to experience this homeschooling journey of sanctification and grace. Jessica has been attending homeschool conferences for the past five years, and has found such an encouraging community among fellow brothers and sisters taking on their God-given roles to educate and disciple their children.
