You've heard the phrase, 'it's all about priorities?' Nothing could be closer to the truth when we are talking about making time for God. Moms are busy. There is not a single mom out there that is not.
I'm sorry to burst your bubble mom, but your time limitations are not going to get better. I truly wish I could tell you that someday your time is going to increase, but I cannot. I truly wish that I could tell you that someday your children will be quiet for you to dig deep into the Word of God, but I can't.
It's not about having the time and more about making the time.
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A few days ago, if you caught me during my morning routine, you would have seen complete and utter chaos. There were two little boys running around in diapers, chickens eating sensory beads on my porch, dishes in the sink, food on the floor, and a tired and stressed mama.
Do you know what I did? I went on the porch with my coloring Bible and opened it to one of my latest colored verses and read it. My children hopped on my back as they laughed and giggled. It was chilly on the porch, but I closed my Bible and let them all fall into my lap.
I read the verse to them, and we talked about God's blessings as a new day started.
It does not always work that way, but for that day and circumstance, making time for God was that simple. Sometimes it's the act of making time, not the results of doing it correctly.
God Time is not Our Time
Mom time seems like it is in ever-present change. Just when you get a routine down, something goes haywire, and you are forced to change the routine once again. It's enough for it to seem hopeless to get some 'God time' into your life.
Yet I have good news for you today, God time does not have any specific formula!
It's not about having time; it's about making time for God. When we start making time for God it does not become 'our time' it becomes His time. His time will always look different than our plans and desires. It is in these moments that God can truly deal with our hearts as we grow and mature in him, in his time.
Is It Your Heart’s Desire To Know God?
For years making time for God meant waking up early and opening my Bible and journal with a cup of coffee. Even now, I long for that time and routine. It was intentional and it was consistent.
Different seasons in life will reveal to us our true heart's desires.
When our season in life changes, the distractions that take us away from making time for God will change as well. Different seasons mean different distractions. The distractions of my 20s without kids were just as detrimental to my faith as the distractions of my 30s with kids are.
It may seem like young motherhood has the most distractions of any other season of your life, but that is just a crutch that gives you an excuse. You need to crave that time with God. As you prioritize Him first, even if it's just 5 minutes of prayer in the shower, you will begin to crave more abundantly those conversations and times of worship.
Where is your time being invested right now? Is your number one priority spending time with God? It should be. We cannot bear fruit as believers in Jesus without abiding in Him. As John 15 reminds us, we can do nothing apart from God.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
John 15:4-6 ESV
Making God a Priority in Your Life
Making time for God will not always mean the same thing each day. Distractions are different, kids are unpredictable, and God may have different plans for each day. Quality is better than quantity.
Some of the shortest times of Bible reading, devotionals, and prayer have been the most powerful during my motherhood.
Surrender is key. If you are truly surrendered to God and committed to making time for God in your everyday life, you can surrender your time to God and then trust him to masterfully lead you in how your devotional or quiet time should be spent.
I would love to invite you to join our devotional series, you can have weekly devotionals to encourage and refresh your time with God right to your inbox on Fridays. You can sign up below or look at our past series here.
5 Practical Ways for Making Time for God in your Life
It's time for the rubber to meet the road. Making time for God should not be a part of your daily 'to-do' list. It should be the desire and longing of your heart to connect with your heavenly father. But how do we do it? Here are 5 practical ideas and thoughts as you seek to get more God time in your mom's life.
1. Pray through your Schedule
If you are not making time for God, it may be time for you to take a good and long look at your schedule. Remember, if you have time to mindlessly scroll through social media, sit on Pinterest, or watch a TV show, you have time for God. Those things will never fulfill you as much as the God that truly loves you.
Evaluate your time and then commit to meeting with your savior daily.
- What is causing distractions?
- Are you too busy?
- What needs to be eliminated?
2. Use your Morning
This practical tip does not work for everyone; however, it works for a lot of people! Sending time with God first thing in the morning is one way of setting yourself up for success for the rest of the day.
It will focus and recharge your mind, heart, and soul on what is most important and then equips you to go forward for the rest of your day.
Spending time with God first thing in the morning helps to eliminate the excuses that the rest of a buy day will bring.
3. Remember Quality over Quantity
If your entire quiet time is just a checklist or an 'accomplishment' of a goal (like completing a Bible reading plan), what truly has been accomplished? Skimming your Bible because it's something you 'have' to do is not meeting with God. Jesus cares more about your heart's motives than a religious action.
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Matthew 22:37 ESV
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Jeremiah 17:10 ESV
4. Follow Jesus' Example
Jesus traveled to remote locations to meet with his Father on multiple occasions. There are going to be days that are completely unglued! Jesus understands that don't be discouraged. Even on Jesus' most unbelievable days, he still made time to perfectly connect with his Father.
But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 5:26 ESV
One of my all-time favorite books about motherhood and faith is "Real Moms, Real Jesus.' It is a genuine look at how Jesus truly does understand motherhood and the distractions and sin tendencies that come with that season.
5. Remove Distractions
My morning routine has gone through a lot of change since motherhood. Children are distractions that won't go away. A crying baby or a toddler having a temper tantrum are not something easily cast aside. There are other distractions however than can be set aside for the more important task of meeting with God.
If you know your phone is a distraction, then turn it off and place it in another room. If music is a distraction, turn it off. If your dirty house is a distraction, go on a walk.
Think about it, you are meeting with the God of the universe. Don't take that lightly. Would distractions cause you to walk away from a meeting with your boss? How much more accountable should we be with the savior of our soul.
It's about a Relationship
Ultimately making time for God is about forming a relationship with your savior. It's a time and space that will replenish and recharge your sinful soul. It's about communion and worshiping the God of the galaxy.
If you truly desire a relationship with God, then you will commit to making time for a meeting with him. It starts with a commitment and then a prayerful desire to follow through.
Resources for Making More Time for God
Here are some of my favorite devotionals and other resources for making time for God.
Cultivating a Healing Home Devotional
