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My Life in the Sandwich Season
I’m a no-longer-mid-40s mom. If I have to estimate my age, the 4 in the front has started trying to become a 5—far too quickly, if you ask me. And just because I’m getting close to half a century old doesn’t mean life has slowed down one bit. I’m guessing you probably understand that more than most.
My life right now is what I’ve learned is called the sandwich generation. I have an adult daughter living at home, and I also spend five nights a week staying with my parents to help care for them. I didn’t even know there was a name for this season until recently—but once I heard it, I immediately thought, yes… that’s exactly it.
My mind, my body, my finances, and even my emotions feel stretched in different directions most days. Some days I feel steady and like myself (whatever that means anymore). Other days, everything feels a little all over the place—and I can’t decide if I want to ground my 22-year-old for no reason or run away for five minutes of silence.
Through it all, the one thing I try to stay consistent with is my faith. Honestly, it’s the only thing that keeps me grounded in the middle of this very full season of life.
The Struggle
A typical week for me right now is packed with all kinds of “fun” things. I teach online at a charter school on Mondays. Until a couple of weeks ago, Tuesday nights were bowling league night—that one guaranteed evening away from the house.
During the rest of the week, I’m juggling a mix of responsibilities: working on things for my students, helping my parents with daily needs, coordinating home healthcare appointments, and managing both their appointments and my own.
On paper, it may not always look overwhelming. But what truly stretches me thin is not just the physical tasks—it’s the mental load behind all of it.
That mental exhaustion often leaves me too drained for consistent time in the Word. And when that happens, it doesn’t just affect my routine—it affects my heart and my sense of spiritual steadiness in ways I know God never intended.
If you’re anything like me, missing a day of Bible study or devotional time can quickly turn into guilt. That guilt can spiral into frustration, and before long, the enemy starts whispering things like, “You’re a bad mom,” or “God must be disappointed in you,” or “You should just give up.”
But those thoughts are not true; quite plainly, they are lies.
God is not angry with you when you miss a day—or even a week—in His Word. He is not waiting in disappointment. He is patient, loving, and steady. And every single time we come back to Him, we are met with grace, not shame.
What I’m Learning
Realistically—and faithfully—I know that God is always loving and patient. This season of being in a “sandwich life” has taught me that God does not require perfection. He never has. If we were perfect, we would not need grace or Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Big Truth #1: Faith Looks Different Right Now
Faith grows and shifts through different seasons of life.
During my sandwich season (which I can only pray lasts a long time in the sense of purpose, not pressure), my faith is not being built through long Bible studies or perfectly consistent routines. It’s also not being shaped by aesthetics or ideal spiritual habits.
That’s not to say those things are bad or that I shouldn’t strive for more consistency—but right now, life often looks different.
Sometimes my faith is formed in survival mode. I take moments where I can find them, and I make them simple.
And even there—God is present. He is the peace in the chaos.
Big Truth #2: Consistency Is Not Perfection
There have been seasons in my life where I didn’t miss a day of Bible study or reading for a year or more.
Right now, I am learning that not being consistent every single day does not make me a failure.
God does not see me as less when I miss a day—or even a week—in His Word.
The small, quiet moments we can grab between appointments, work, and family matter just as much to Him as the long, intentional study times. He simply desires our presence.
As “sandwich moms,” we have to shift our mindset away from perfection and toward faithful presence—what God sees as steady devotion in real life.
Big Truth #3: This Season Requires Grace, Not Guilt
As busy Christian moms, we often extend grace to everyone around us—our children, our spouses, even the people and systems that stretch our patience.
But when it comes to ourselves, we tend to hold back that same grace.
Instead of offering ourselves understanding, we fall into guilt–feeling like we are not doing enough for our families or even for God.
We live in the “shoulds.”
We think we should have dinner at the same time every night, but life doesn’t always allow it. We think we should be spending more time doing everything perfectly, but responsibilities and realities interrupt those expectations. The world says we should have it all together—but God has never required that of us.
In this stretched and full season of life, we have to learn to extend grace to ourselves, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Because if God—the Creator of all things—offers us grace in our imperfection, then we must learn to extend that same grace to ourselves.
And maybe the truth is this: God does not ask us to become “perfect” before coming to Him. He invites us to come as we are, and He is the One who gently transforms us in His presence.
What’s Helping Me Right Now
To be honest, the most important thing helping me right now is prayer. Without it—and without the grace God gives in every situation—I don’t think I would make it through this season.
There are days when life feels so overwhelming that I convince myself I don’t even have time to pray. And in those moments, the enemy is quick to whisper that my prayers don’t matter or aren’t being heard.
But I’ve learned that even the smallest, simplest prayers matter.
That’s actually why I started leaning into something that has helped me more than I expected—praying Scripture.
I had always heard that praying Scripture can help when you don’t know what to say, so I created something simple for myself: a collection of 5-minute prayers paired with Scripture. On the days when my mind feels scattered or I only have a few minutes, I can open it, read the Scripture, and pray right through it. It keeps me grounded in truth, even when life feels chaotic.
When I do have a little more time to sit and focus, I love using my interleaved Bible. Having space to write notes, prayers, and thoughts right alongside the Scripture helps me slow down and really reflect on what I’m reading.
Most days, though, my prayers end up in my journal—because sometimes I just need to get everything out of my head and onto paper. (And yes, mine is purple… because everything is better in purple.)
And when I want to go a little deeper into a specific topic—like studying a specific book of the Bible or a topic like the Lord’s Prayer—I often reach for studies from Daily Grace Co. I’ve collected quite a few over time, and they’ve been a simple, structured way to stay in the Word without overcomplicating it.
The truth is, I don’t need any of these things to spend time with God.
But in a season like this—when life feels full, and my mind feels pulled in so many directions—these simple tools help me stay focused, grounded, and connected to Him in the middle of it all.
Closing Encouragement
As a busy Christian mom in your “sandwich” season, you already know how important it is to spend time with the Father. But you also know that in this season, finding that time can feel harder than ever.
I want you to know—you’re not alone in this. There are more of us walking through this season than we often realize.
This life of being stretched between the people we love is hard, but it is not hopeless. Keep looking up. God has not left you—and He never will.
Even on the days when everything feels overwhelming, your small moments with Him still matter. Keep showing up in the ways you can, and trust that He will meet you there.
We’re in this together. And even when life feels like it’s falling apart, God is still holding everything together.
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father,
As we walk through this day in the middle of so many responsibilities, guide us. Help us care well for the people You have placed in our lives, while also drawing closer to You.
Give us strength for this season, grace for ourselves, and peace in the middle of it all. Remind us that we are never alone and that You are present in every moment.
Amen.