This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

The above words were offered by a parent when I asked for honest thoughts about the first days of parenthood. I couldn’t agree more with her sentiments. Learning how to bathe a child that can’t sit up is difficult, add to that learning how to change diapers, properly heat bottles, swaddle, and dress this squirmy creature, all while sleep deprived—are you kidding me?! In a word it’s overwhelming.

And yet, people have been finding a way to pull it off since the beginning of time.

There is a lot in this life that can feel overwhelming and I think that’s why faith is so essential. Our belief in God gives us something to fall back on when everything else seems to be falling apart. Our faith tells us that God is still in control, even when everything else feels out of control. Our faith can give us reasons to hope, even when everything else seems hopeless. This simple belief in a being that is wiser and more powerful than myself can be enough to give us comfort at even the most dismal of times.

INVITATION: I confess that I can be rather easily overwhelmed. It’s something I’m working on. One of the practices I’ve found that does help when I reach my breaking point is to take 5 minutes to myself to listen to music. I like to retreat to my bedroom, lie down with headphones on and listen to a song that reminds me of God’s power and peace. It’s never the same song twice, but that moment of calm to remind myself of God’s presence in my life goes a long way. Even if you don’t feel overwhelmed at the moment, give yourself this gift today.