There are certain images that come to mind when we think about women who have “let themselves go.” Maybe stretched out yoga pants or unkempt hair. But that is not the picture I have in my head as I pray for the thousands (millions!) of moms who I know are hurting and exhausted out there. Women who have “let themselves go” to the bottom of the priority list as they tend to the needs of their families during these crazy times in our country and in our world.

As I ask Jesus how He would want to encourage these women in our midst, I am reminded of the age-old advice that we hear from airline flight attendants. “Be sure to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.” Indeed, I recall the Biblical stories about how Jesus would wake early in the morning to pray in solitude before setting out to heal the sick and share the Gospel. He was tending to His own needs so that He could meet the needs of people around Him.