...whatever you call it.
my time reading the Bible, praying and listening seem to be always changing.
there were times that all I had time for in a day was an internet/podcast/radio sermon (or maybe even just part of it) and maybe a small snipped from an Our Daily Bread, while I was using the bathroom.
there were other times, pre-kids, that I'd actually spend 2-3 hours a day in prayer, reading, study.
(shhh...you can actually hear the angels singing and if you were here, you might be able to see my halo! blah!)
this past year has been different though.
I've gotten up early.
ran.
email/blogged.
showered.
made breakfast.
and then, while I'm eating and drinking my hot beverage
I crack open THE book.
Take time to pray.
Listen.
Read.
Focus.
Worship.
and then I feed the kids/go on with the day.
it's not long.
some days I do drag it out, some days I cut it really short.
shoot...some days I skip all together because I'm just off.
but it's neat when it does happen.
Because it's the start of my actual day though, I get distracted....easily.
see that note book up and to the right of my coffee cup?
it's my to do list.
it sits there every time.
and while I'm reading and praying and getting distracted, I write my distractions down.
because something about my brain says that if I write it down, it can leave my brain.
I also have to do it before 7am.
if it's after that I can hear the girls tummies growling from across the house.
But, I and loving this time more than any other reading times in my life.
I love that my kids are waking up to that, I love that I'm hearing God's voice, focusing me, balancing me.
I love that after years of small snippets in the bathroom (which I do NOT feel bad about and if you're 'there' neither should you - those were precious times too) I am writing in my journal again.
it's my favorite part of the day....
there are great moments in my life that happened from the "small snippets and 1/2 sermon phases", really great.
I wouldn't trade the lessons I learned from them and I probably wouldn't have gotten them from a different kind of study time but deep down, I'm a nerd, and I had been missing my highlighter....
so, to that I say, "Hello Lover!"
I know everyone is always looking for inspiration in this area.
We are all in different phases and styles of busy.
Wouldn't it be fun to share what YOU do (or wish you had time to do)!?
Share in the comments and I'll try and put together an idea list from them for me, to share.
People can tape it up in their bathrooms ;-)
4 comments:
As the mommy of small boys, I have always kept a small KJV Bible in the bathroom on the main level of the house. I cannot tell you how often I was completely blown away by the things that God would show me in his precious Word during those times. Often I would re-read a section of Scripture that I had read dozens of times before and yet be shown something brand new and beautiful. It always makes me think of the widow's mite. She didn't have much to give (and we mommies of little ones know what it feels like to just want a moment of selfish "me time"), but she gave to God completely of that little bit and it was blessed. How amazing our God is!
I also keep a "scattered thoughts" list around. Our church services are rather long (usually about 2 hours or so, sometimes in years past they went well over 3 hours). I would find my mind often getting distracted by something rediculous and stupid in the middle of church. Something like, "how could you have not noticed that you needed to change the polish on your toenails? they are chipped! obsess!" Unfortuanately, I found that the struggle to overcome this foolishness, while good for my spirit in general to do, was not good for my ability to pay attention to the service and the learning I was supposed to be dedicating my heart to. Therefore, I keep a super cheap spiral notebook in my purse so that when foolish thoughts or even slightly less silly "to do" items creep uninvited into my head, I can jot them down and move on. And I absolutely refuse to allow any amount of guilt to seep in about having written down "paint nails." A thought in my mind is wild and untamed. A thought written is captive and subject.
I love hearing how other mothes are struggling or rather striving in their quiet times. I find if someone isn't keeping me accountable I become a serious procrastinator. I'm excited to hear from others.
I never know what to call those times either! I don't like "quiet time" so I use "devotional" but it's only because I can't think of anything better. I would love to have a nice, original term to use. ;-)
I like how you mentioned your girls seeing you spend time consistently with your Bible - it is so important for them. What a great example you're setting.
I listen to podcasts in the afternoon during the kids' quiet time. In the morning, we do our {devotional} together as part of school - reading scripture and praying. I have so enjoyed this time with them and have learned the flow of the bible better than I ever knew it before through going over children's Bible study book after book with them through the years.
I have been sick for a while and not getting up earlier than my boys, so after breakfast (sometimes during because the boys are super slow eaters and we have to get a move on the day) I set a timer for 1 hour. I tell the boys they can play quietly, and after the timer is done it will be time for school or whatever else is next in our day. If they fight they get separated. No interruptions allowed. I often end my time getting out my guitar and doing worship, and my boys frequently decide to join me with a variety of instruments. This often leads to a lot of fun and silliness. It works for right now, and I feel really privileged to get to spend time in the middle of my morning with Jesus.
Post a Comment