What is your hardest hour?
A friend of mine posed this question to me and I froze. It’s something I never defined, never thought about. Until now.
It didn’t take long to recognize my hardest hour holds hands with the witching hour. As a Mama of four littles, this makes sense. But, I’m learning that having cranky kiddos between 4:30 and 5:30pm isn’t the only thing making this hour a struggle.
My hardest hour started here, with 3 babies and a toddler, while my husband was deployed. Now my kids are older, but I still struggle to find patience before the end of the day.
Within these fragile 60 minutes lies: my husband’s transition from work to home, dinner preparations, meal time, kids waking up from naps (and Lord knows that’s always a roll of the dice), kids transitioning from school to home, homework help, and kid’s activities.
I am one person, but for 60 minutes I wear countless hats, managing what is ultimately a lot of transitions.
Transitions are what makes this hour my hardest.
For you, the hardest hour of the day might be the hour before work/school. It’s a different hour, but it’s hard for the same reasons. Transitioning causes our natural rhythms to quake.
It’s hard to find stillness.
It’s hard to discern your next right thing.
It’s hard to breathe through the chaos.
It’s hard to feel seen.
It’s hard to stay calm.
It’s hard to feel present.
It’s hard to keep perspective.
It’s hard to know you are capable of doing hard things.
It’s not hard all the time, though, is it? There are days when we transition beautifully and may we hold those moments close. Cherish the days when your hardest hour is easy and take note of what makes it less stressful.
No matter your circumstance or your season of life, I invite you to feel encouraged in your hardest hour. I created an audio series for you — five days of truth, love, encouragement and cheerleading to get your through your hardest hour.