If I have learned one thing over the past 6 years of motherhood, it is that there is no way I am able to handle any day on my own strength. But it has taken me most of my life to get to a point where I am eager to get into God’s word and to pray. Of course, I still struggle with it, but God has been blessing me for my obedience!
This is what a typical morning looks like for me:
This is what a typical morning looks like for me:
I usually get up early (6 or a bit before) to do a few things. I always have a cuppa this nearby :D
Bible Study – I am a part of a 3-cord accountability group with ladies from our church, each in a group of 3 (a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken! Ecclesiastes 4:12). We read through a passage of Scripture (book by book, one chapter a day, alternating Old with New Testament), then write down a) the theme, b) best verse, c) challenge, d) God’s character. This approach, along with having to be accountable to 2 other ladies each day for my quiet time, has TOTALLY changed my approach and given me a new appreciation and desire for reading and understanding God’s word. We are working through 1 Chronicles right now, and while it is mostly tedious names, there are little pockets of things which jump out at you and grab you that you’ve never seen before!
Also included in my bible study is the Ministry of Motherhood book study by Sally Clarkson. The group of women I am “studying” with is on Good Morning Girls and Homeschool Creations. (Jolanthe has a BlogFrog page up and running if you’d like to jump in on it!) This study has been fantastic for opening my eyes to a different attitude of parenting, as well as helping me to really get into one verse for the day – pulling it apart, writing down applications and prayer (it is amazing what you can get even from just one verse!).
Prayer: In the past, I have coupled my bible study with the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge as part of my prayer time. And as I mentioned yesterday, the challenge is on once again!
I spend time in personal prayer, and since my husband and I lead a small group in our home, I try to pray for our members a couple times a week.
I realize all of this seems overwhelming and a LOT. And believe me, it is a lot. I certainly do not get to it every day. And definitely not all at once. Since we started doing kids quiet time, I now have a chance in the afternoon to come before God once again. Most days I need it to refocus and regain a sense of sanity! :D
There are also a lot of things which scream for my attention first thing in the morning – exercise, clean-up, internet, blogging. All I can say is that it is not in my own strength that I am able to have my quiet time. But by the grace of God working in me, he has given me the desire to be near him, before anything else. It means I have to stay away from my computer, sit at the uncomfortable kitchen table, or on the couch in the opposite room, to resist the temptation. But it is worth it to have that undivided time spent with God.
I realize all of this seems overwhelming and a LOT. And believe me, it is a lot. I certainly do not get to it every day. And definitely not all at once. Since we started doing kids quiet time, I now have a chance in the afternoon to come before God once again. Most days I need it to refocus and regain a sense of sanity! :D
There are also a lot of things which scream for my attention first thing in the morning – exercise, clean-up, internet, blogging. All I can say is that it is not in my own strength that I am able to have my quiet time. But by the grace of God working in me, he has given me the desire to be near him, before anything else. It means I have to stay away from my computer, sit at the uncomfortable kitchen table, or on the couch in the opposite room, to resist the temptation. But it is worth it to have that undivided time spent with God.
Psalm 119:5 says “O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!”. This is pretty much impossible to do – on our own. But it is something to strive for – holiness. How can I know what God wants me to do and what his commandments are if I am not studying his word?
In 1 Chronicles 22:19a, David charges Solomon to “Set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God.”.
If you don’t have a regular quiet time, I challenge you to start off with something simple – a chapter a day – and draw in some other people to hold you accountable. One of the greatest gifts God has given us as believers is the “cloud of witnesses” which surround, encourage and pray for us.
You CANNOT just be accountable to God. You NEED to be accountable to 1) a close, godly friend who is more mature than you are, 2) spouse (or parent if you’re still at home) and 3) your church leadership.
For prayer, write a list of areas you are struggling in, and pray for them. Ask God to change your heart. Pray through scripture if you don’t know what to pray. Ask others around you how you can pray for them.
Try it for 30 days. Watch how you grow. You will never be the same.
