Welcome to Dear Father Thomas, a weekly column where readers share their questions about faith, family, relationships, and life’s challenges. Each week, Father Thomas offers practical wisdom and spiritual guidance rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
DEAR FATHER THOMAS: I’m beginning to wonder if this is just what adulthood is supposed to feel like. My alarm goes off before sunrise, and from that moment until I fall into bed, I’m moving. Work, errands, meals, laundry, appointments, emails… there’s always one more thing waiting. By the weekend, I’m so worn out that I spend half of it trying to recover before Monday starts all over again.
I keep telling myself things will slow down “after this week,” but they never do. I miss having time to pray. I miss reading. I miss enjoying dinner with my family without looking at the clock. Even when I have a quiet moment, my mind is racing with everything I still haven’t finished. I love my family, and I’m grateful for my job, but I don’t know how to live like this forever. How do I know when I’m working hard… and when I’m simply carrying more than God ever intended? — A TIRED SOUL
DEAR A TIRED SOUL: Your letter speaks for far more people than you may realize. Many of us have become so accustomed to being busy that we mistake exhaustion for faithfulness. We begin to believe that if we’re always tired, we must be doing something right. But that isn’t what God asks of us.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus was surrounded by endless needs, yet He regularly withdrew to pray. He wasn’t avoiding His mission. He was remembering where His strength came from. You and I need that same reminder. There will always be another email to answer, another chore to finish, another demand on your time. If we wait until life is “less busy” before making room for God, that day may never come.
Start small. Offer God the first minute of your morning. Thank Him during your drive. Invite Him into the ordinary moments of your day. Prayer isn’t another task on your checklist—it’s where your soul learns to breathe. And don’t be afraid to rest. Rest is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of humility. It acknowledges that God is running the universe—not us.
Your worth has never been measured by your productivity. It has always been measured by the love of the God who created you. So do your work faithfully. Love your family generously. But leave room for silence, for prayer, and for rest. Because a weary body can recover—but a weary soul needs Christ. I’ll be praying that the Lord gives you not only renewed strength, but the peace that comes from knowing you never have to carry life’s burdens alone.
Have a question for Father Thomas? Email us at dearfather@ycvf.org. While we can’t respond to every message personally, your letter could be selected for a future episode.
