Rediscovering Yourself: The Power of a Mom Cation

Devotional

Day 1: You Still Matter—Prioritizing Self-Care as a Mom

Motherhood often demands that every ounce of energy and attention be poured into children and family, leaving little room for personal needs or desires. Yet, it is vital to remember that your well-being is important, too. Taking intentional time for yourself is not selfish; it is a necessary act of self-love and stewardship that enables you to continue caring for others from a place of strength and joy. When you make space to rest, reflect, and recharge, you affirm your God-given worth and set a healthy example for those around you. [01:01]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize your own rest and well-being this week, even if only for a short time?

Day 2: The Power of Solitude—Rediscovering Yourself

In the constant swirl of responsibilities, it is easy to lose sight of your own identity and desires. Taking a solo trip, even if just for a day, offers a rare opportunity to listen to your own heart, rediscover what brings you joy, and reconnect with the person you are beyond your roles. Solitude is not about isolation, but about creating space to hear God’s voice and your own, so you can return to your daily life refreshed and more fully yourself. [02:38]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Reflection: When was the last time you spent intentional time alone? How might a period of solitude help you reconnect with your true self and with God?

Day 3: Setting Boundaries—Saying Yes to Yourself

It can be difficult to set boundaries when so many people depend on you, but learning to say “yes” to yourself sometimes is essential. A mom cation is a tangible way to practice this, as it requires you to consider your own needs and desires without factoring in others. By setting aside time just for you, you honor your own limits and teach those around you to respect them as well. [03:20]

Galatians 6:4-5 (ESV)
“But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”

Reflection: What is one boundary you need to set in your life to protect your time, energy, or well-being, and how can you communicate it with love?

Day 4: The Gift of Rejuvenation—Returning Refreshed

Stepping away from daily routines, even briefly, can bring a renewed sense of joy and energy to your life. When you intentionally pour into yourself, you return to your family and responsibilities with a fuller heart and a clearer mind. This rejuvenation is not just a luxury, but a gift that benefits everyone you care for, as you are able to give from a place of abundance rather than depletion. [09:15]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Reflection: How have you noticed your energy and attitude change after taking time for yourself, and how might this impact those you love?

Day 5: Inspiring Others—Modeling Self-Care and Balance

When you make self-care a priority, you not only benefit yourself but also inspire others—friends, family, and even your children—to do the same. Your willingness to step away, recharge, and return with renewed purpose can encourage others to seek balance in their own lives. By sharing your experiences and supporting others in their journeys, you help create a culture where everyone is empowered to care for themselves and each other. [09:58]

Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Reflection: Who in your life might be encouraged by your example of self-care, and how can you support them in finding their own moments of rest and renewal?

Sermon Summary

In the journey of motherhood, it’s easy to lose sight of your own needs and desires as you pour yourself into caring for your children, your partner, and your work. Yet, it’s essential to remember that you still matter. Taking intentional time away—what I call a “mom cation”—is a powerful way to reconnect with yourself, to rest, and to rediscover what brings you joy. A mom cation is not just a vacation; it’s a deliberate act of self-care, a solo trip where you are the only priority. Whether it’s a weekend at a local hotel or a longer adventure in a new city, the key is that you are alone, free from the responsibilities and expectations of others.

My first true mom cation came after the birth of my third child, following a difficult pregnancy and the exhausting early months of motherhood. That trip to Los Angeles was a turning point. For the first time in years, I was able to focus solely on myself—my needs, my rest, my desires. I didn’t have to consider anyone else’s schedule, preferences, or comfort. It was liberating, even if it meant dealing with the practicalities of being a nursing mom on the road. The experience taught me that these moments of solitude are not selfish; they are necessary for my well-being and, by extension, for the well-being of my family.

A mom cation is distinct from other types of travel. It’s not a girls’ trip, a romantic getaway, or a family vacation. Even traveling with your own mother, as wonderful as that can be, doesn’t offer the same freedom. The beauty of a mom cation is that you answer only to yourself. You can stay in your room all day, explore a new city, or simply rest—whatever your soul needs. In the daily grind of motherhood and work, these opportunities are rare and precious.

By making yourself a priority, you return to your family and your responsibilities refreshed and more present. You model for your children the importance of self-care and boundaries. And you remind yourself that your identity is not lost in motherhood—it is enriched by it, especially when you take time to nurture your own spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. The necessity of self-prioritization: In the relentless demands of motherhood, it’s easy to forget that your needs matter. Taking a mom cation is a radical act of self-prioritization, reminding you that you are worthy of rest and joy apart from your roles as caregiver and partner. This intentional solitude is not selfish; it’s essential for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. [01:01]
2. The difference between solitude and togetherness: True restoration often comes in solitude, not in the company of others—even those we love. A mom cation is not a girls’ trip or a romantic escape; it’s a sacred space where you answer only to yourself, free from the subtle pressures to accommodate others’ needs or expectations. This kind of solitude allows for deep reflection and genuine rest. [04:47]
3. The power of intentional boundaries: Setting boundaries—like putting your phone on “do not disturb” or declining to solve problems from afar—creates space for true rest. These boundaries are not just about physical distance, but about emotional and mental separation from daily responsibilities. Practicing this discipline on a mom cation can help you establish healthier boundaries in everyday life. [09:04]
4. Rediscovering your own desires: Motherhood often means putting others’ needs first, to the point where you may forget what you actually want. A mom cation is an opportunity to listen to your own desires—whether that’s exploring a new city, sleeping in, or simply being still. Reconnecting with your own preferences and passions is a vital part of maintaining your sense of self. [02:38]
5. Modeling self-care for your family: By taking time for yourself, you show your children and your partner that self-care is not only acceptable, but necessary. This example teaches your family that everyone’s well-being matters, and that rest is a vital part of a healthy, balanced life. When you return from a mom cation, you are more present, more patient, and more joyful. [09:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - What is a Mom Cation?
[00:49] - The Shift in Identity After Motherhood
[01:14] - The Need for a Break: My First Mom Cation
[01:57] - The LA Experience: Traveling Solo
[02:38] - Rediscovering Yourself on a Mom Cation
[03:07] - Defining the Rules of a Mom Cation
[03:44] - What a Mom Cation is NOT
[04:47] - The Difference from Girls’ Trips and Family Travel
[05:34] - Traveling with Your Own Mother
[07:25] - The Daily Demands of Motherhood
[08:48] - The Value of Time Alone
[09:30] - Local or Far: The Flexibility of Mom Cations
[09:58] - Inspiring Others and Building Community
[10:32] - Invitation to Share and Subscribe
[10:46] - Making Yourself a Priority

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 6:31 — Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

- Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what is the main difference between a “mom cation” and other types of trips, like girls’ trips or family vacations? [04:47]
What were some of the reasons the speaker felt she needed her first mom cation after her third child? [01:14]
In Mark 6:31, why does Jesus invite his disciples to come away and rest?
What are some of the daily demands of motherhood described in the sermon? [07:25]

Interpretation Questions

Why might intentional solitude, as described in the sermon, be important for a mother’s well-being? [09:15]
How does the idea of “restoring your soul” in Psalm 23 connect with the concept of a mom cation?
The speaker says that taking time for herself is not selfish, but necessary. How does this challenge or affirm common beliefs about motherhood and self-sacrifice? [01:01]
What does it mean to set boundaries for rest, both physically and emotionally, as mentioned in the sermon? [09:04]

Application Questions

The speaker describes putting her phone on “do not disturb” and not solving problems from afar during her mom cation. What boundaries could you set in your own life to create space for rest? [09:04]
Have you ever felt like your needs or desires were lost in the busyness of caring for others? What would it look like to make yourself a priority, even in small ways? [01:01]
If you were to take a “mom cation” (or a similar intentional break), what would you want to do? What would you hope to rediscover about yourself? [02:38]
How might taking time for self-care actually benefit your family, rather than take away from them? [09:15]
The speaker mentions modeling self-care for her children. What are some practical ways you can show your family that rest and boundaries are important? [09:15]
What obstacles—internal or external—might keep you from taking time for yourself? How could you address or overcome these obstacles? [08:48]
Think about a recent time when you felt overwhelmed by responsibilities. What is one small step you could take this week to nurture your own spirit?

Sermon Clips

You don't have to take care of anybody else. You don't have to factor in the needs of anybody else. You literally disappear from all of your responsibilities, be it work, be it family, your partnership, and you just take time to focus on you. Because once you become a mom, your life becomes about that other human. [00:00:31]

But you still matter. And mom cations are those beautiful moments of time where you are the only person that matter. I actually didn't take my first true mom cation until I had my third child. That's when I knew I needed to have that trip to myself. [00:00:59]

It was literally I have been raising three kids and I feel like I'm about to lose my mind. I'm crazy. I'm tired. I worked hard at school. Okay. All right. So, what? You don't want me to mess with you tonight? No. I'm crazy. I'm tired. [00:02:20]

My third child was premature in the NICU and before he was even born, I was on bed rest. So, that whole pregnancy was just an experience in itself. Then I had this little human. It just took a whole different mindset, a whole different physical toll on my body. [00:02:38]

And when I was able to get away, I got away. So my first official Momation trip was in April of 2019. Our third child was born in January of 2019, and it was right after Nipy Hustle passed away. And so my my spirit was just telling me that I needed to go to LA. [00:02:51]

I got a hotel and I was by myself. And I do have a best friend that lives in LA, but I don't think we spent any time together that trip. I was totally solo. It wasn't hot so I wasn't able to do the pool, but like I remember one day just staying in my hotel the whole time because my baby was so young. [00:04:14]

And I had been to LA before, but I had never experienced it by myself. Doing only the things that I wanted to do. And you got to remember after having a baby again, I was at baby number three. My world and what I wanted to do no longer mattered. [00:04:43]

The first thing is that a mom cation trip is just for you. You can't go with other people. You can't plan it with other people. You literally have to consider where you want to be. And it could be local. It could be a close station, too. And you have to put thought around what you want to do, what you want to see, what you want to experience while you're there. [00:06:18]

When you go on a vacation, you are working with somebody to make the trip happen and you guys are interacting and at some point you're going to have to factor in that other person. Mom cation is not like that. You don't have to factor in anybody. You're not physical and giving yourself physically to anybody. [00:08:20]

The beauty of being on a mom cation is you only think about yourself. You only do what you want to do. You only eat what you want to eat. You only go where you want to go. You only talk to the people you want to talk to. You might not do any of that. [00:10:04]

When you travel with your parent, it's still kind of like that parent figure. I can be around my mom and I can drink and I can have fun and I can do what I want to do, but there's always this level of that's my mom. Of course, I got to respect my mom, but also when I travel with my mom, I feel like I also kind of got to look out for her, too. [00:12:17]

When you're thinking about a mom cation, it is just you by yourself doing the things that you want to do because we don't get those opportunities. my day. Wake up, get the kids ready, get them prepared, get them out the door. But while I'm getting them out the door, I'm making sure they have breakfast. [00:14:22]

I'm making sure they have lunch. I'm making sure that they can be as peaceful as they can so they can go into their own day feeling good. And they have their own personalities. They sometimes wake up on the bad side of the bed, but my job is to try to cultivate the best experience for them when they leave this house. [00:14:37]

Working a full-time job is demanding. I don't care if you work from your your living room in your home office or if you go out to a job. It's hard work. And then that shuts down and what do I have to do next? What do you have to do next as a busy working mom? You got to go get your kids. [00:16:23]

So when I have these pockets of 2 days, 4 days, maybe even a week if I'm feeling froggy, I am so adamant about locking into me. Do I still answer my phone and my texts? Absolutely. But the beauty of being away and being on these monation trips is that if anybody comes to you with some BS, you can't really do nothing cuz you ain't there. [00:16:48]

I think it just makes your entire motherhood experience so much more enjoyable when you know that you're able to feed yourself. You have blocked the time to go somewhere that you've never been or go somewhere that you've been but that you love and really experience it without having to think about if somebody else's experience is going to be as great as yours. [00:18:15]

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