To the Mom Craving Connection

It wasn’t until I had children that I truly understood how much I craved connection. While I loved snuggling my baby, I also longed for adult conversation. You can only say so much to a baby in a day! As I yearned for fellowship, I found myself questioning, Did I take for granted all the years I could have an adult conversation without kids interrupting?

While I pondered that thought, I also wondered, Who can I have this hypothetical adult conversation with? They say it takes a village to raise a child, but how exactly do I find this so-called village?

As I brought this request for mom friends to God, I realized there were two types of connection I needed to live abundantly. You may find yourself needing both of these, too.

First, we need time with Jesus.

Only Jesus fills that longing in our hearts. Motherhood is busy and demanding, but if we want to feel our best, we need to carve out time to commune with our Creator. As tempting as it is to use our kids as an alarm clock, there are better habits to get into. Have you ever noticed that when your mornings feel rushed, you’re more likely to lose your temper?

Reading God’s Word, praying, praising, and petitioning are where we find connection and purpose. God longs to hear from His children. What would happen if we drew near to Him? If we were more intentional about building a friendship with Him?

I think we’d be more patient moms if we prioritized quiet time with God.

Second, we need to invite people into our motherhood journeys.

Our desire to commune with others comes from God. He built each one of us to be in a relationship with Him and one another. With a friend, we can laugh, cry, and share life. Raising children is more enjoyable when we do it together.

Early on in our marriage, we moved three times in five years. Friendship takes time, so every time I built lasting relationships, it seemed my husband’s job forced us to move. During this season, I got intentional about asking God for divine appointments. I thanked Him for the friends in my life, but I also asked Him to bring me more.

I wrote this prayer for any mom wanting to find her tribe.

You can pray as is or as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for creating us with intention and purpose. We praise you, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God, as we navigate motherhood, we pray you’ll send us divine appointments. We long to go on this journey with other people. Help us to find friends who will sharpen us and who we can sharpen as well. What a gift a sweet friend can be. Lord, send us friends who will stick closer than a brother. Thank You for Your goodness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Along with praying, take time to meditate on what God’s Word says about connection and friendship:

As iron sharpens iron,

So, a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17 NKJV

Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 NKJV

Don’t be afraid to make the first move.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to other people. Instead of waiting for someone else to make the first move, invite a friend for coffee or plan a playdate at the park. Reach out and take the first step.

And when you find a sweet friend, open up to each other. Share the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m always amazed when I’m vulnerable and share my feelings with a friend, and I often find that they deal with the same struggles as me! Don’t walk through this life alone. We’re all craving deep connection. It’s in our DNA. What are you doing today to build connection into your life?