Text: Exodus 17:8-16, Exodus 18:1-27, Proverbs 19:20
Life as a young mom had left me exhausted and exasperated. My hair was forever in a ponytail, and I rarely snagged a shower. Variations of snot, food, and crusted drool had taken up residence on the sleeves and shoulders of my shirts. The hope of ever again going to the bathroom in peace—alone and with the door closed—had become a distant memory.
I was in the throes of a whole new world, just trying to keep the littles alive and fed. And I was struggling to connect with God. The loss of that connection gnawed away at me, and left me with a deep sense of guilt. The days of long, uninterrupted Bible study and prayer now seemed long gone, and I missed them.
My friend Prisca has three grown sons, and her youngest was once part of our on-campus college ministry. He was mentored by my husband throughout his college years, and so we got to know him well, witnessing firsthand how he lived out his faith—grounded, humble, secure, and wildly generous.
I grew to admire and appreciate the role his parents played in raising him, and in particular his mom. I can clearly remember one of our first meals together in their home. Prisca listened with warmth and understanding as my tears rolled down and words tumbled out. I shared both the struggles and joys of new motherhood, and confessed my shame in not feeling connected to God during such a challenging season of life.
Jethro knew Moses was in a difficult season. He knew well the call God had on Moses’ life and how his son-in-law’s heart longed to serve God and minister to His people. But he could also see the unsustainability of how Moses was going about his life. He took the time to listen to Moses and observe his situation, before offering wise counsel (Exodus 18:13-16).
“‘What you’re doing is not good,’ Moses’ father-in-law said to him. ‘You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone.’”
-Exodus 18:17-18
I fully expected Prisca, an amazingly godly woman, to admonish me about the importance of God’s Word and how I needed to rise earlier and work harder to protect my time with God. But instead, Prisca touched my arm and with a joyful laugh, shared, “You know, these are busy, challenging years you’re in, but it won’t always be like this. I remember going grocery shopping by myself once, when I was where you are. I just stopped and stared at the oranges for a long, long time…”
Prisca’s words were like a sweet balm seeping into the deeper parts of my soul, bringing relief and, honestly, surprise. Her words of grace met my depleted body and soul exactly where I needed them. They encouraged me to stop striving and rest in order to keep from burning out. To stop trying to do it all on my own. She assured me that in my surrender, God would show me new ways of connecting with Him.
We all need a Jethro in our lives. We need someone who will patiently build our trust by observing and listening without judgment. We need people to seek out our hearts, instead of quickly offering unsolicited advice. And should we be blessed with such a friend, may we learn from their wisdom and heed their advice.
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
-Proverbs 19:20
Leave a Reply
37 thoughts on "Moses and Jethro"
Where would I be today without the sisters who have held up my arms when I simply had No. More. Strength? Where would I be if those sisters hadn’t become lifelong prayer partners, teaching me to be faithful in prayer in all things and for all people? Where would I be without their hands in mine, with shared tears, speaking hard truth right into my heart? Thank you, Vivian, for reminding me of the great gift these women are! They are priceless. Invaluable. They are my Aaron’s, my Hurs, my Jethros.
This is beautiful, churchmouse. So grateful for these reminders! Love to you, friend.
xoxo-Kaitlin
This was exactly what I need to hear in this season of my life, as my nearly 4yo and 20 month old watch tv so I can get some time along with God. It’s not ideal, but it’s the only way I can get a few minutes of peace with God. And as I’m typing this, the 20 month old comes over to cuddle and that’s how it works. It won’t be like this forever, and I’ll connect with God in new ways. Thank you for this!
This really resonated with me, as I’m a full-time mom to a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old. Thank you.
Loved today’s devotional and just how practical these applications and lessons have been throughout the study. May we all be blessed to have such people in our lives and may we too be willing to be there for others in return.
Have a great day ladies
xo
I can think of many times in my walk with God that someone else, like Aaron and Hur, had to hold up my hands during the battle! I, too, remember the days of My Three Sons at home and feeling inadequate when it came to having perfect Bible studies and uninterrupted prayer times at home. Believe me, they were rare! And just as Vivian, a godly woman reminded me of the exact same thing: this was only a season, a beautiful season that God had blessed us with. I might not have time to pray an hour every day (okay, I never had THAT!) but I could connect with God when I was rocking my babies to sleep or reading them a bedtime story, etc. I used to pray over them before they would walk out the door for school, from elementary to high school, and they might stand there and roll their eyes and say they were going to be late and could I hurry this time…but today, all three grown and long out of the house, they have all told me how much that meant to them. How protected, loved and safe they felt knowing that God was watching over them and that we took time to connect. I didn’t know it but I was being their Aaron and Hur!
Be encouraged, young mothers! God knows where you are and honors you as you raise your children to love Him. One of these days you will have TIME after they are grown and gone…and as much as you hate to hear it, it is true…you will wish for those precious days back again. ♥
Such good perspective. My friends and I try desperately to remind each other that these days are fleeting. Three little girls in a small house can challenge my every fiber, but God has provided women to walk with me. What a gift they are!
Carly B, I too am refreshed and enlightened by all the women of SRT and the responses. Praise God for all of you! He always knows what I need (even when I don’t) and provides it!
These passages are a great reminder of how much we need each other- that we are not meant to go it alone. Joshua couldn’t have won the battle without Moses and the others lifting the staff before God up on the hillside, and Moses needed Jethro’s encouragement and wise advice, as well as the support of other leaders in dealing with the people’s disputes.
Too often my default is independence and trying to manage by myself but that is not how it is supposed to be. It is much better when we can support and encourage one another, and I am grateful for all the support and encouragement here. I love that we can read the Bible together and learn from one another and pray for one another. I get so much more from connecting with you all here than when I was trying to do it alone.
So very, very true Carly!
When I read this story, I remembered how much I love it. It is just so great to see how Moses and his family are reunited and how Jethro and Moses treat each other. It might not have been easy for Moses to leave behind his wife and sons with his father-in-law and I can only imagine the joy he must have felt when they visited him. And Moses was very lucky to have a father-in-law like Jethro, that listened to him and gave him his wisdom. I imagine that Moses must have felt quite lonely from time to time, feeling scared and lost with all his responsibilities. It is great that God provides us not only with our daily needs (like we read yesterday) but also with friends and family that we can rely on.