Rest for Busy Moms: Be Still and Know

This past weekend, I did something I don’t usually do—I lit a fire on our back deck just for me.

No one else was home. No noise, no schedule, no multitasking, no guilt. Just the quiet crackle of the fire, the golden glow of fall, the crisp, cool feel of the air, and a few moments to simply be still.

I had a magazine to read, but I found myself not reaching for it. I was mesmerized by the fire, and I just sat and savored every peaceful moment.

I’ll be honest—being still doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m a doer. My days are often full of mile-long checklists, phone calls, work, writing, cooking, laundry, and cleaning; all of which I love to do.

Caring for others and making a home that feels like a haven is a passion of mine. Maybe you can relate. We spend so much of our time pouring out that we forget how to simply sit and receive—receive a quiet moment, an uninterrupted cup of tea or coffee, or a moment listening for God.

But something happens when we slow down. When we step outside, breathe deeply, and let the quiet settle in, our souls begin to rest and our bodies begin to relax. We start to hear the gentle whisper of God again—the one that often gets drowned out by the noise of our daily lives.

Many people today live in what is called “fight or flight”. This is a new concept to me, but one I’m hearing more and more. I’m just starting to dig into it more deeply, but this is what I’ve learned so far:

Fight or flight is your body’s natural stress response — the way God designed us to react when we sense danger, pressure, or a threat.

When you face something stressful (like a sudden noise, a conflict, or even overwhelming emotions), your brain signals your body to prepare to either fight the danger or flee from it.

Here’s what happens in that moment:

Your heart rate increases to pump blood faster.
Your breathing quickens to bring in more oxygen.
Your muscles tense so you’re ready to move.
Your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

This response was originally meant to help us survive — for example, to run from danger or defend ourselves. But today, many of the “threats” we face aren’t physical — they’re emotional or mental: deadlines, parenting stress, financial worries, or relational conflict.

When we live in a constant state of fight or flight, our bodies stay tense and our minds anxious. That’s why God’s reminder to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) is so powerful — stillness helps calm our nervous system and reminds us that we can rest in His control.

Let’s go back to my fire. That evening, as I watched the flames dance, I realized how rarely I do something just because it brings peace. Lighting that fire wasn’t productive. It didn’t check a box or accomplish anything tangible. But it filled my soul in a way that nothing else could.

🌿 Why God Calls Us to Be Still

In Psalm 46:10, we’re reminded of this:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

It’s more than a comforting verse—it’s an invitation. God doesn’t ask us to be still so we can get more done afterward; He asks us to be still so we can know Him.

Stillness reminds us who He is and who we are not. When we pause, we acknowledge His sovereignty and allow Him to quiet our anxious hearts.

In stillness, we trade striving for surrender, hurry for humility, and noise for His nearness.

When we sit quietly in His presence, we are one step closer to a feeling of peace. We can also find strength for our role as moms.

Simple Ways to Practice Stillness

You don’t need an empty house or a Solo Stove to experience stillness (though it helps!). Here are a few simple, soul-nourishing ways to slow down and listen for God’s voice:

Step outside for a few minutes.
Leave your phone inside. Breathe. Let the sounds of creation remind you of the Creator. Step onto the grass.
Begin your day with quiet time with the Lord.
Before scrolling (I’m speaking to myself here), pray, be still, and read his word.
Take a slow walk and listen to the sounds around you.
Turn your thoughts to prayer or gratitude, taking your mind off your troubles.
Light a candle or start a small fire. (Get yourself a Solo Stove)
Watch the flame flicker and be reminded of God’s provision. I was gifted this fun flame last year. If you don’t have access to a Solo Stove or fire, try this.
Sit with a warm cup of something and do nothing. Honestly, I am a big advocate of habit stacking, so a cup of coffee usually involves drinking it while I go about my day. I can’t remember the last time I just sat with a cup of coffee.
Don’t plan. Don’t produce. Just rest. And drink your coffee with your own thoughts.
End your day with gratitude.
Instead of scrolling before bed, reflect on where you saw God’s hand that day. I’m not a scroller, but I do love a little HGTV or Hallmark before bed. Still working on this one.
Listen to worship music quietly, focusing on the words and God’s goodness.

Stillness doesn’t require hours—it simply requires intention.

A Gentle Reminder

You don’t have to earn rest—you just have to receive it. This is a hard mindset for me to wrap my head around. I am definitely of the mindset that I can’t rest until work is done, and will take it further and say this: I don’t rest until work is done. I struggle to rest in chaos, so if things are out of order, I struggle to allow myself to rest. But I’m working on that and seeking rest in stillness.

God designed rest as part of His rhythm, not as a reward for finishing your to-do list. When we make space to be still, we’re reminded that He’s always been there—ready to restore, refill, and renew our hearts.

The world tells us to keep going, to hustle harder, to hold it all together—but God whispers, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness isn’t wasted time; it’s sacred space. It’s where your soul exhales and your heart remembers who’s really in control. So breathe deeply, light the candle, step outside, or sit quietly with your coffee. Let His peace meet you right where you are—and fill your home with the calm your heart’s been longing for.

When your heart is still, your home becomes peaceful too. 🤍 Your kids notice. Your husband notices. There is a peace that fills your home. Remember, you set the tone, Mama.

I started that fire on a whim. It hadn’t been something I was working toward for the day or had built into my schedule. I just felt the need to sit by a fire and be still. We often ignore those small nudges from God. I’m so glad I didn’t ignore it that day. I will definitely be lighting more fires and savoring the quiet time to be still.