When Faithfulness Feels Heavy
Legacy building is often talked about like something we do — something we hustle toward, manage, or perfect. But the truth is, legacy isn’t built in moments of intensity. It’s built in seasons of faithfulness.
There are days when motherhood feels steady and grounded. And then there are days when it feels like if one more thing gets added to your plate, you might completely unravel. I know those days well. The ones where exhaustion turns into irritation, where pressure turns into spiraling thoughts, and where you wonder how you’re supposed to model faith when you’re barely holding yourself together.
If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or stretched so thin that even good things feel heavy — this is for you.
When Legacy Starts to Feel Like a Load
Somewhere along the way, legacy building can quietly turn into burden carrying.
We take on everything — kids’ sports, church commitments, volunteering, cooking, baking, working, serving, growing in our faith — all at the same time.
We say yes because we care. We say yes because it’s for our kids. We say yes because it feels like that’s what good moms do.
And then one day, the spiral hits.
For me, when I sit idle, my mind doesn’t rest — it wanders. It tells me what I should be doing, what I’ve missed, and what I’m behind on. So instead of resting, I stay busy. Or I scroll. Social media becomes a way to shut my brain off for a moment — not because I’m lazy, but because I’m exhausted.
But even there, comparison sneaks in.
We see moms on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest who seem to have it all together. What we forget is that we’re seeing carefully chosen snippets — planned, edited, filtered moments. Real life, lived in real time, is never that polished. And yet we measure ourselves against it anyway.
Burnout doesn’t come from caring too much.
It comes from carrying more than we were meant to hold.
Faithfulness When You Can’t See God Clearly
One of the biggest lessons I learned while writing From the Trenches is this: God is present even when He feels hidden.
There were seasons of deep darkness — storms so heavy I couldn’t see where God was working. My faith felt shaky. At times, it felt like the enemy had a grip on my thoughts, my emotions, my peace. And yet, looking back, God was there the entire time.
Faithfulness isn’t always loud or confident. Sometimes it’s quiet endurance. Sometimes it’s choosing God again on days when belief feels fragile. And sometimes it’s simply not giving up — even when you don’t feel strong.
Legacy is built not by perfect faith, but by persistent faith.
Modeling Faith While Being Imperfect
Trying to model godliness as a mom can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re painfully aware of your own shortcomings.
I have a temper. I work daily to manage it, and while medication helps, it doesn’t erase the struggle. There are good days. And then there are days when every little thing sets me off — days I hate because the anger slips out despite my best efforts. Too often, it lands on my kids.
Those are the moments I regret the most. The moments when I feel small because I’ve made my children feel small.
But legacy isn’t built by pretending those moments don’t exist. It’s built by what we do after them — by humility, apology, repentance, and grace. Our children don’t need perfect mothers. They need mothers who show them what it looks like to rely on Jesus when we fall short.
The Long View of Legacy
Legacy takes time.
We have roughly 18 years with our children under our roof — 18 years to teach them how to love Jesus, handle their emotions, treat others well, and walk in faith. Every ordinary day counts.
Watching your children grow up in church, learn about Jesus, and choose Him for themselves is one of the greatest blessings of motherhood. The day your child accepts Jesus into their heart is unforgettable — not because of the date on the calendar, but because of the moment, the circumstance, the heart posture.
We were never meant to be perfect. Only Jesus walked this earth perfectly. Our calling is not perfection — it’s faithfulness.
That truth is something I have to remind my youngest daughter of often, especially when her anxiety and perfectionism creep in. Grades don’t have to be perfect. Performance doesn’t have to be flawless. And honestly? Some days, I need to remind myself of that just as much as she does.
Saying Yes, Saying No, and Trusting God With the Outcome
Saying no is hard — especially when you’re a mom who thinks through every possible outcome.
If I say no to this, what will happen?
If I don’t show up, who will be disappointed?
If I rest, will something fall apart?
That constant mental calculation can feel like a curse.
There are seasons where saying yes is right — and seasons where saying yes to everything slowly drains the life out of you. Faithfulness isn’t found in constant availability; sometimes it’s found in trusting God enough to step back.
Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, ”For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Closing: Faithfulness Over Intensity
Burnout is often a sign we’re carrying what God never asked us to hold.
Legacy isn’t built by intensity — it’s built by intention.
And you don’t need to do more to matter.
If you’re tired, overwhelmed, or questioning whether you’re doing enough — hear this: God sees you. He is walking beside you. And He is working even when you can’t see it.
Faithfulness, lived out imperfectly and consistently, is enough.
Reflection Questions
- Where do I feel most worn down right now — and what am I carrying that God may not have asked me to hold?
- In what ways have I equated faithfulness with doing more instead of trusting God more?
- What does faithfulness look like for me in this season — not an ideal one, but the one I’m actually living in?
- How can I model grace, humility, and reliance on Jesus for my children, even when I fall short?
Closing Prayer
Lord, You see the weight I’m carrying — the responsibilities, the expectations, the pressure to do everything well. You see the moments when I feel strong and the moments when I feel like I’m barely holding on. Help me release what was never meant for me to carry. Teach me to choose faithfulness over striving, trust over control, and grace over perfection. When I feel tired, remind me that You are walking beside me. When my faith feels shaky, steady me with Your presence. When I fall short, cover me with Your grace and show me how to begin again. Thank You for the children You’ve entrusted to me and for the legacy You are building through my imperfect obedience. Help me rest in the truth that I don’t need to do more to matter — I only need to remain faithful to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Free 5-Day Legacy Builder Challenge
Want a simple starting point? Download the free 5-Day Legacy Builder Challenge (PDF) to get clarity and take practical next steps with your finances, values, and family traditions.
Want support and accountability as you build your legacy? Join us inside the group.