I've let things slip

It's been happening for a while now, but I finally realized just how much I've let things slip.  Reading my Bible and spending regular time with God has really not been a priority in my life lately.  And it's been that way for a while now.  And really truly, it's not that I didn't have time to spend with God, it's that I didn't make it a priority.  I had lots of time to blog daily and bake yummy treats for my family, but sitting still before my Maker?  Nope, just wasn't happening.  But I see it now.  And I'm so thankful that He pointed it out.  And so did Stew.  What a good husband I have--looking out for me like that.

So we've decided to change our morning routine to allow space for my quiet time at the outset of the day, instead of me just trying to cram it in somewhere.  I've been wanting to make family breakfast more of an intentional, scheduled time together anyways.  7:00am is now family breakfast time, and my quiet time (with Stew watching Micah) follows at 7:30.  Breakfast conveniently comes first, so that I am actually awake and can drink my coffee while I sit with God.  It's perfect.  And I know Stew will help me keep from getting distracted and actually take the time to be quiet.  He's so good to me.

This morning was our first go at our new morning routine and it worked pretty good.  It was really a great way to start our day!  And, for the first time in ages, Micah only woke up at 7am!  He's been sleeping in wonderfully these past few days.  We actually awoke at 6:55 to our alarm, for the first time in who knows how long.  Funny that I even still set an alarm! 

So today I feel refreshed, from a good night's sleep and quality time with my Maker.  Wonderful.

it's all about intentionality

I've posted before (briefly, as part of this post) about my struggle with finding time for God in the midst of the craziness of my life, especially now with a baby. My Auntie Laurie had some really encouraging words for me. She writes:

I learned very soon after having my second baby that spending time with Jesus did not necessarily mean having a specific time each day to sit and read the Word and pray. What it really meant was talking to Him throughout the day, while cleaning the toilet, while breastfeeding, while folding laundry. A girlfriend told me God often spoke to her while she was cleaning the toilet. That's just the reality of being a mom of babies. We don't have the luxury of planning our days and sticking to specific schedules. For awhile I had a devotional by the toilet, so when I was sitting on the toilet I could read a verse or two. That would be it for the day. Many days went by without me being in the Word. I would play worship music. I learned to commune with Jesus moment be moment, and to not feel guilty for not being in the Word. He anointed us to be moms. He knows our frame, that we are dust.
Blessings, Auntie Laurie

I was so encouraged by her words! But I also know that there are times in my day when I probably could put in more effort to dig into Scripture, yet I don't. Today I came across a blog post challenging Moms to be intentional about time with God. Holly shares six practical tips on making space and time for God in your regular, crazy life. They are:

1. First, think through the last 48 hrs. Any time-stealers come to mind? Facebook, Twitter, TV, email, Internet, phone calls, or texts? Make sure the enemy isn't robbing you of God-moments by offering a "harmless" substitute.

2. Time with the Lord takes intentional planning when you have a full, noisy, busy house. Some days, gather your kids around and read a passage to them. If you can make it interesting to listen to, you might get through several verses. Write a few verses out and leave them in the kitchen, laundry room, or car so you can contemplate as you cook, fold, or wait for your kids.

3. Place Bibles in several spots around your house so anytime you do get to sit down you can snatch a verse or two to ponder.

4. Use the first few minutes of nap time to get rest for your spirit. You probably won't be reading chapters or books at one sitting, but the Lord can use even snippets to instruct and encourage your heart. If you have kids who no longer nap, make a quiet zone where they can read or color while the little ones sleep and you get refreshed. Occasionally, this will actually work!!

5. Escape for a few minutes if you can after your husband gets home or right after dinner. I have had quiet times on picnic tables at the park, in my car at Sonic, on my driveway sitting in my car, and in my laundry room or closet.

6. Practice God's presence "in the midst" of your crazy days. He doesn't leave because your life is hectic. He can minister grace to your heart as you comfort that child or chop veggies for dinner or sort dirty socks. Christ knew what it was like to wash dirty feet. He is not absent when we are surrounded by lots of them! Remember that the Lord had many moments when He sought to draw apart to seek the Father. Sometimes that happened, sometimes He was moved with compassion and returned to the multitudes. His heart was to do the will of His Father every moment of every day, but He didn't live apart, He lived in the midst.

7. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment as you discover what will work for your family. Since it is God's will for you to know Him, ask Him to enable you to creatively pursue that in this season of your life. God's Word is eternal. The lives of those who come to know Him are eternal. Houses, stuff, and even time will all pass away. We won't regret time invested in His Word and in raising our kids to love Christ.

That last part really hit me. "We won't regret time invested in His Word and in raising our kids to live Christ." Of course! How can I raise my kid(s) to know and love Christ, if I am not knowing and loving Christ and modeling for them what it means to know and love Christ? If I am not pursuing Christ, while teaching my kids to pursue Christ, I am a hypocrite!!

I'm also realizing more and more my need to give up the idea of reading long sections of Scripture and meditating quietly on them! I need to embrace the idea of snatching a few verses at a time, a few moments in prayer, convening with God here and there throughout my day.

I also need to remember something else that Holly wrote: "God declares in His Word that your kids are a blessing and a gift. They are not an interruption, a mistake, or a hindrance to God's will in your life; they are God's will for your life." Amen!