Restoring My Soul

Ellen Mongan recommends taking time early in the year for some spiritual refreshment.

In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3a) 

Are you tired, worn down, and out of sorts? Does the very sight of one more dish to clean or one more load of wash to run sets negative emotions towards the next person you meet? Maybe exhaustion has knocked on the door of your life, and unfortunately, you opened it. 

Christmas seems to me that it is like adding another whole life to my already too busy, overcommitted, full life. I love the expression “crazy busy.”  Somehow, it makes a mother's life sound a little more exciting. Don’t get me wrong; I loved being a mom of many and still do. However, I know what is in the job description and have discovered over the years that there is no retiring from your vocation: a mom is a mom forever! 

Moms Need to Prioritize Self-Care

 When you are unable to put one foot in front of the other or even smile, it is time to get away. Exhaustion became my middle name when I was raising my seven close-together children. I discovered way too late that my biggest mistake in motherhood was not caring for myself. Then I learned that when I cared for myself, I could care better for others. In Scripture, God commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). It makes total sense, but I never saw where I had the time to do it. Taking care of me always ended up at the bottom of my to-do list. 

It was only after suffering times of burnout, exhaustion, and even depression that I learned to implement the words, "Take a break; you are only human, and you count too.” Perfectionists, over-committers, and high achievers out there, this message may be one you need to hear. It is all right to slow down, take a break, and maybe even fall apart when you have done more than humanly possible. All anyone can ask of you is to do your best. I love the saying: "I am not weak; I have been strong way too long." 

Making Time to Get Away

Deacon Patrick and I aim to take a retreat together after Christmas each year. Retreating together has become a lifeline for me. It gives me hope as we near Christmas, when my to-do list seems like it will never make it to the finish line. It gives my husband peace when, with all the Christmas gatherings, he is beginning to get “peopled out!” Most importantly, it gives us both an inner longing to be alone with each other and our Savior, Jesus Christ. I heard it said, “We are made for love by love to love.” 

On this yearly retreat, we pause from life to listen to each other a little more attentively. We seek the face of God wholeheartedly and put away the distractions of everyday life. We work to treasure the moment. We go forth without a plan, a to-do list, or a hidden agenda. We leave behind our life as we know it, anticipating that we will meet God there, which He is faithful to do.

Our retreat is different every time. Sometimes we read a book together that will help us in our daily walk. Other times, I finish a book I've been simmering on the back burner for lack of time. Our primary focus is to draw ever closer to one another and to Jesus through prayer and the sacraments. 

Good for you, you might think to yourself. How do we get away when I have a house full of children depending on me? Or how do I pay for our retreat when we just maxed our credit cards on Christmas? What’s a mother to do?

But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. (James 1:5)

Whether it is taking a weekend away, a date night each week, or an annual retreat, it is essential to take time to recharge, especially if you have depleted yourself. 

My friend and I were talking about burnout years ago. During our conversation, I remembered how I used to have too much to do and no time to do it. I decided to take a mini retreat each month. My birthday is August 7, so I would go to Mass, spend hours in the Adoration chapel, and then go to lunch on the seventh of each month. It restored my soul. 

It is 2026; let’s all begin this practice. Take the time to lie down in green pastures. Be led to the still waters. Let God restore your soul! You will be glad you did.  

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Copyright 2026 Ellen Mongan
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