Episode 34
34 | When Life Feels Chaotic, Here’s How to Stay Rooted in God’s Plan
Feeling like there’s no time for you in the middle of everything?
Let’s dive into the heart of it. This episode is all about learning how to care for yourself without guilt. As busy moms, we’re often juggling a thousand things while running on empty — right? But here’s the truth: your family needs you to be full and present, not just surviving the chaos.
We’ll talk about simple, practical ways to refill your soul, protect your spiritual time, and truly enjoy those precious moments with your loved ones.
So grab your favorite cup of hot chocolate (or listen while folding laundry — because we’re moms, after all), and let’s dive into how you can stay grounded in God and become the best version of yourself in this beautiful, messy season of motherhood.
I pray that this episode blesses and encourages you!
Michelle
✨ Next Steps:
- Join the Facebook community — Here
- Subscribe to the weekly The Inner Flame — Here
- Take "What is my God-Given purpose: Where to Begin?" quiz — Here
- Book a 1:1 Discernment Coaching Session — Here
✨ Email: hello@michellebrannam.com
✨ Website: https://MichelleBrannam.com
✨ Listen to Related Episodes:
- 15 | How to Trust That God Has a Plan for You: 3 Practical Ways
- 33 | Feeling Far from God? 3 Daily Habits to Feel Close to God Again
📖 Catechism of the Catholic Church Mentioned:
- CCC 2288
Bible Translation Used: All Scripture is quoted from the Revised Standard Version – Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE), The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, © Ascension Press. Used with permission
Transcript
This is especially true as mothers.
Speaker A:Our families, they need us full, not running on low.
Speaker A:And that's when we pour out our love without running empty and actually enjoy the precious moments with them.
Speaker A:Life as a mom can feel like you're running on empty, the house is a mess, the kids need everything, and your to do list never ends.
Speaker A:One mother said it perfectly.
Speaker A:There's no time for me in the middle of everything.
Speaker A:If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
Speaker A:And in this episode, we're talking about how to care for yourself without guilt, protect your time with God, and refill your energy so you can love your family fully and joyfully.
Speaker A:So grab your notebook, lean in, and let's talk about how to stay rooted and energized in the middle of chaos.
Speaker A:If you're ready to break free from stuck, gain clarity, and take steps towards discerning your unique purpose, all while following God's guidance to become the person he created you to be.
Speaker A:If so, you're in the right place.
Speaker A:Hello, I'm Michelle, a Catholic discernment mentor and spiritual coach who went from lost and questioning my purpose to confident in my unique calling using a Catholic based strategy that places God and the Catholic faith at the center.
Speaker A:Are you ready to dive in?
Speaker A:Grab your pen and notebook and get comfy, Open your heart and mind and invite God in as we get ready to become who God created you to be.
Speaker A:Let's do this.
Speaker A:You want to discover your purpose, but you're in a busy season of motherhood and you can barely find time for yourself.
Speaker A:The idea of adding one more thing to your schedule feels overwhelming.
Speaker A:That's why in a purpose coaching session, we work within your current season, not against it.
Speaker A:I'll meet you right where you are and I'll guide you through a simple prayerful process that fits into your real life.
Speaker A:In just one focused hour, you'll leave with a clear, step by step plan to discern what God wants for you to do next.
Speaker A:Book your session or learn more at Bit ly catholicpurposecoaching and the link is also in the episode notes as well.
Speaker A:All right, so let's dive in with the demands of motherhood.
Speaker A:It can feel like there's no time for me in the middle of everything.
Speaker A:We make sure the kids are taken care of, the house is running and our husband's needs are met.
Speaker A:But our own needs, they often fall to the very bottom of the list.
Speaker A:I felt this especially after having my son.
Speaker A:Suddenly I had two little ones, a dog, a house to manage, and it was like There was no room left for me, let alone spending time to discern and live out my unique purpose.
Speaker A:So through this season, I began to see that caring for myself wasn't just possible, it was essential.
Speaker A:And as I started carving out small pockets of time for God and myself, I realized it could actually make me feel a little less chaotic and help me show up more fully for my family.
Speaker A:Burnout happens when we ignore our fundamental needs, the physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Speaker A:The Catholicism reminds us life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.
Speaker A:We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.
Speaker A: he Catholic Church, paragraph: Speaker A:Running on empty means we can't give our best to our family or fulfill God's responsibility for us.
Speaker A:It's like we're living on a quarter tank of gas.
Speaker A:So caring for ourself isn't selfish.
Speaker A:Others depend on us.
Speaker A:The flight attendant analogy applies here that I like to think of.
Speaker A:We must put on our oxygen mask on first to help those around us.
Speaker A:They always tell you to put your mask on first, then help the infant, the children, the other ones around you that need your help.
Speaker A:Because you cannot help others if you cannot save yourself.
Speaker A:So instead of saying, I don't have time for me, we need to reframe our thinking.
Speaker A:Taking care of myself is not selfish.
Speaker A:So you really need to reframe that thinking that taking care of myself is not selfish.
Speaker A:Because when we care for ourselves and stay rooted in God, we are better able to step into his purpose for our lives and follow his plan for us.
Speaker A:Saint Bernard of Clairvaux once said, if we are wise, you will be reservoirs and not channels.
Speaker A:The channel lets the water flow away and does not retain a drop.
Speaker A:So the reservoir is content to wait until it's full and then it pours out the overflow without loss to itself.
Speaker A:So we're not called to live as empty channels, constantly drained.
Speaker A:We're called to be reservoirs.
Speaker A:Fill and refresh so that our love and our energy can overflow without draining us.
Speaker A:This is especially true as mothers.
Speaker A:Our families, they need us full, not running on low.
Speaker A:And that's when we pour out our love without running empty and actually enjoy the precious moments with them.
Speaker A:So you might be asking, well, how do we fill our reservoir?
Speaker A:We do this by tending to the fundamental needs, the spiritual, the physical and the emotional.
Speaker A:And like physical, it's taking care of our bodies by nourishment and overall health, sleep and rest.
Speaker A:Things along that line and then our spiritual needs of spending time in prayer with God, growing closer to Him.
Speaker A:Because after all, that is what we were created for.
Speaker A:To know, to love, and to grow closer to him so that we may join him for eternity in heaven.
Speaker A:And also by living out our unique God given purpose, the way that God designed you, with your specific strengths and gifts.
Speaker A:So when we live this way, joy, energy and peace just becomes our fuel.
Speaker A:That fullness, it spills over into our relationships and allows us to be more present and loving, even in the chaos.
Speaker A:And filling your reservoir isn't enough if we don't protect it.
Speaker A:So boundaries are essential.
Speaker A:Boundaries are not being selfish.
Speaker A:They're about making space for your spiritual needs.
Speaker A:Space to spend time with God, space to pray, reflect and grow closer to him.
Speaker A:And a space to discern his plans and purpose for our lives.
Speaker A:So when we have boundaries in place, we're guarding the most important part of our reservoir, our relationship with God.
Speaker A:And when that part of us is protected and nurtured, then everything else flows more smoothly.
Speaker A:Our patience, our presence, and our peace.
Speaker A:Loving your family well begins with loving yourself.
Speaker A:Only when you care for your own needs can you show up fully for the people who depend on you.
Speaker A:So protecting this time keeps you rooted, refreshed, and spiritually alive, even in the chaos.
Speaker A:So that everything else flows more smoothly.
Speaker A:Through this season of chaos, I realized that caring for myself, filling my reservoir, and protecting my time with God made all the difference.
Speaker A:So here's what I want you to remember.
Speaker A:Take care of yourself first.
Speaker A:Caring for your physical, emotional and spiritual needs is selfish.
Speaker A:It's part of staying rooted in God's plan.
Speaker A:And I needed intentional time to work on discerning God's plans for me.
Speaker A:And it refilled my cup, centered me on him.
Speaker A:And it brought the peace and fulfillment.
Speaker A:And you can have that as well.
Speaker A:And I want you to remember to fill your reservoir.
Speaker A:Make time for what nourishes you, prayer, reflection, and rest.
Speaker A:Creating those boundaries around family time before everyone wakes up, or even after everyone goes to bed.
Speaker A:This is your time to fill your reservoir.
Speaker A:Fill that fundamental need that you need.
Speaker A:And protecting that space allows you to show up fully and enjoy those precious moments.
Speaker A:And then also protect your spiritual space.
Speaker A:Boundaries are about saying yes to God and not no to others.
Speaker A:Loving your family well begins with loving yourself.
Speaker A:Only when you tend to your own needs can you show up fully for those that God has entrusted to you.
Speaker A:So guarding this time keep keeps you rooted, refreshed and spiritually alive, even in the chaos of everyday life.
Speaker A:Let us pray in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life and for the ways you have uniquely created each of us.
Speaker A:Help us to care for ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually so that we can show up fully for the people you have entrusted to us.
Speaker A:Teach us to fill our reservoir with prayer, rest in your presence, growing closer to you.
Speaker A:Give us the wisdom and courage to protect our spiritual space and create boundaries that honor you.
Speaker A:May our love overflow to our families and others, reflecting your grace and joy in Jesus name.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:In the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Amen.
Speaker A:Knowledge is power, but true change happens when we pair with that consistent daily action.
Speaker A:We cannot move forward without taking a step.
Speaker A:So this week I want you to set aside just 10 minutes a day with God.
Speaker A:Maybe before the house wakes up or everyone else is in bed.
Speaker A:This is your time to set that 10 minutes with him.
Speaker A:Use that time to pray, reflect, or simply rest in his presence.
Speaker A:Protect it as your sacred time because this is how you refill your reservoir and stay rooted in Him.
Speaker A:And I'd love for you to share inside the Facebook community finding your purpose, discernment and strategy for Catholic Moms.
Speaker A:Tell us when you're setting aside your 10 minutes with God this week.
Speaker A:Is it the morning?
Speaker A:Evening?
Speaker A:Whatever works best.
Speaker A:We would love to know so we can support you, encourage you along the way.
Speaker A:And that Facebook group is also in the show notes down below.
Speaker A:And remember my beautiful sister in Christ, that God uniquely created you for a unique purpose.
Speaker A:You were made to do great things.
Speaker A:God is within you and you will not fail.
Speaker A:I look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Speaker A:I'll meet you next Tuesday for another conversation.
Speaker A:Until then, may God bless you and bring you peace.
Speaker A:Thank you so much for joining me today.
Speaker A:I pray that today's episode blesses and encourages you.
Speaker A:If so, would you please share it with someone you know that would be blessed by it?
Speaker A:If you felt inspired or learned something Today, please take 30 seconds to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts.
Speaker A:This is the number one way to let me know that you are liking the show and and for me to reach other Catholic women like yourself.
Speaker A:If you're feeling uncertain or lost on your discernment journey, you're not alone.
Speaker A:Join us over in the free Facebook community where Catholic women just like you are sharing, supporting and growing together in faith.
Speaker A:I look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Speaker A:God bless you.
