It is 12:36 AM and I sit here feeding Oscar.
With a newborn in the house, I often feel like I don’t have enough time, energy or lap to reach around. All my little people are under three years old, so if they have needs, those needs need met right NOW. It’s amazing how small children do not know the meaning of “Just a minute,” or “patience.” Although then again there are times I think I don’t know those very well either.
Oscar is a great baby and sleeps a lot, which I am super grateful for. Even so, he still takes quite a bit of care with feedings, changing, and rocking. When I’m on my own it’s all I can do to get meals on the table at a decent time and keep Gabe and Jasmine from killing themselves by falling off chairs or leaping off the steps, or poking each other in the eye with kindling.
A couple weeks ago I asked the ladies at church how they have quiet time with God as a busy mom. There were varying responses, but one said she uses the time she spends in the bathroom as her devotional time because it’s the only time she’s alone throughout the day!
I thought that was great. Way to make it work, mama!
Another idea came from a mom who said she allows herself one piece of chocolate per day and looks forward to that all day. She started tying her devotions to that time when she had her daily piece of chocolate and doesn’t forget anymore!
When I sit down to feed the baby, it is so easy for me to just do something mindless like scroll through Facebook. I have to actively choose to use that time to pray or read the Bible.
On days when things are crazy busy, I like to listen to a sermon on CD or a podcast as my devotional time. This leaves me free to get some work done while focusing my thoughts on God.
Another thing that really helps me is having the Bible app on my phone. It has a read aloud feature, and since I am often wearing a Bluetooth for the phone job, I can just turn it on and listen to the Bible being read just like I have headphones on. I like to do that during middle of the night feedings for Oscar. I don’t have to read anything with my grainy tired eyes and yet listening to the Bible also helps me stay awake better.
After hearing about the woman with her piece of chocolate I also sometimes tie my devotions to my one-cup-of-coffee-that-I-allow-myself-per-day.
Let’s face it, as moms we have a million little things calling for our time and attention. It can be hard to remember to spend time with God each day. We mean to, but until we get the get lunch made, dishes washed, fill the baby’s bottle with water, make a snack, pick up toys, read a book, comfort a crying child, discipline a disobedient one, put supper in the oven, feed the baby, fold the laundry, run to the bathroom because we can’t put it off One. More. Minute., it’s soon time for bed, and we’re tired.
But spending that time with God, alone and quiet or not – is essential for my sanity and helps the whole day go better.
What are ways you’ve found to keep your relationship with God vibrant even during busy times? I’d love more ideas!
Well, this may seem silly to some people, but when I deal with anxiety especially at night, I use that as a signal to pray for someone. It’s often the same person for several days or weeks in a row. And when baby won’t sleep, I use that as an opportunity to pray blessing over him, often starting at the top of his head (“May his mind be filled with all the knowledge of the fullness of God”) and work down to his feet (“may his feet be beautiful on the mountains because he is bearing good news”). This is if I remember and have not already gotten too frustrated.; ) Also I have found that choosing one section of scripture to be my contemplative reading is really helpful. I read it every day for several months and write down one phrase that stood out to me this time and what I’m thinking about it. It is amazing how much there is in a small section. Right nowadays I’m reading the first.part of John 10. Anyway, if I get time, I’ll read from other parts of scripture, but if not I’ll squeeze that in somewhere and call it good..
Great ideas, Julie! I especially like the one about praying a blessing on your baby. Will have to incorporate that!
I love this, because I have recently been thinking the same thoughts. One thing I’ve been doing is just thinking of God, talking to Him etc. while washing dishes. No, it’s not reading His word, but it’s still building a relationship with Him and that is my goal.
This is so true, and I try to do this too, but most of the time I don’t remember. I want to put up some bible verses and prayer requests by the sink to jolt my memory.