This post is written by contributing writer, Jen from This Gal’s Journey.
They stare down at me from the dusty bookshelf where they have resided for the last…who knows how long.
Mocking me.
Taunting me with all the things I’m not doing.
Workbook after workbook. Bible study after Bible study. Painstakingly written by amazing women of God, giants of the faith who are being used in a mighty way around the world by a mighty God.
Yet there they sit.
I’ve stopped looking at them. Though I used to pause every few days and run my fingers along their spines, longing to unearth the nuggets of truth hidden within their pages; within the pages of God’s Word.
Photo by Alan Cleaver (creative commons)
No matter how early I get up, it seems someone else wakes up, too. A little person with wide eyes and pudgy fingers needing milk and mommy and snuggles with their blankie.
If I stay up late to hide in the Word, fatigue sets in clouding my mind. Thoughts are foggy at best. Wait, is that I cry I hear? Down the stairs I go.
I used to beat myself up about the lack of quality, long chunks of time spent pouring over God’s Word. I used to read wise words from wise women who have walked in my shoes. Admonishing that time with God is essential for survival – thriving – in this phase of life. And I would wonder why I just couldn’t make that work? Why it wouldn’t fit?
I have three small children. Finding unbroken chunks of time to do anything is a rare jewel.
I simply cannot count on hours in His Word at this phase of life.
And that’s okay.
God doesn’t sit down with His timer everyday and check off some pass or fail list of how much time I do or do not spend reading my Bible and praying.
He gave me these children. He made them; made me. And He knows what life with small kiddos is like.
So I still get up early and I sit with His Word in my lap. And I take sips throughout the day. I ponder as I diaper. Read. Play. Throw rocks.
I daresay the prayer life of a mother of young children would rival any Graham, Billy or otherwise. Just kidding. Sort of.
Are you too struggling with finding some quality time with your Lord, mama? Here are a few things that are helping me these days:
* The studies through Good Morning Girls. We are currently reading through Proverbs 31. It is small snippets of Scripture each day, which makes it easy to think upon those verses throughout the day.
* My Spiral Notebook. This is new for me, but it is becoming huge. I got a spiral bound set of colored note cards. I write a verse or two on each one that speaks to me. When I have a quiet moment, or a moment of struggle, I pull that out and flip through and refresh my soul with some Living Water.
* Uplifting Music. I can’t say enough right now about the newest album from Christy Nockels, Into the Glorious. It’s almost on full-time repeat on my iPod. (I’m not an affiliate or anything, God just speaks to me every time I listen to it!) I put my worship songs playlist on shuffle over speakers in the kitchen while I work during the day. Even if I’m not focusing directly on the lyrics, uplifting words of peace and worship are finding their way into my heart and mind.
So take heart, young mama. There will be a time for long hours lingering at His feet. Concentrated time spent scouring His Word. If this season of life isn’t that time for you, that’s okay! This is a phase and it, too, will pass. And pass all too quickly from what I hear.
This post is shared at The Better Mom
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About Jen Deibel
Amen Jen! This is so crucial for young mamas (or even older ones who have young children) to understand. God isn’t judging our quantity of time throughout the day, He wants us devouring His word as we live all of the time. Implementing it into your life throughout the day through scripture memory, music, and the Word is amazing! Great tips
Thanks, Nikki! And you are so right!!
Thank you Jen for this encouragement! I struggle with this periodically through my mothering journey, especially when I have babies in the house. (and I love doing Good Morning Girls with you!)
Thanks, Christy! I’m glad it encouraged you!!
Very much can relate to this struggle…especially when several of ours were little.
I love the idea of the spiral notecards and pulling out a “jewel” or two to carry with you…
About 10 years ago I started leaving my Bible open to whatever I was reading in a cute cookbook holder on the kitchen counter….just so that I could easily and quickly come back to it throughout the day. It really does help…
I think the most important and encouraging bit you mentioned here is how God understands…how He meets us where we’re at. When ours were little someone shared with me that verse about how God “gently leads the nursing ewes” (Is 40?)…though it kind of creeped me out to be compared to livestock during that “nursing stage” …
It also was so encouraging to think about His tenderness to mamas in this particular stage.
Haha!! That’s so true, Kara! It has been so freeing to realize just how great His mercy is!
sigh. Thank you for these words. Exactly where my thoughts have been this morning.
I’m so glad that it’s encouraging! I need this reminder so often.
Oh, I’m so glad!!
This is so encouraging, and also why the Scripture Memory Challenge came about. I needed to store the Word up so I can draw from it throughout the day. I miss my time with the Lord, and long to meditate on His Word. But I also know and understand the season I am in. God does too. I love this post so much. Thanks for sharing, Jen!
Thank you, LeighAnn!
Also set aside time each day with your children and spouse to read scriptures together. At some stages in my life this has been at 6am and others it is at the dinner table. Daily scripture study and prayer with your family will nourish you and them, even when you only get to read a few scriptures a day. You are setting the example and foundation.
Great word, Janet! Thank you.
Precisely what honestly influenced you to
create “This, Too, Shall Pass, Momma”? I reallyreally enjoyed reading
the blog post! Regards ,Merissa
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