Seeking the Lord as a Mom of Littles

As young moms we can easily get discouraged about our daily time with the Lord. It’s never enough – never deep enough, never quiet enough, never productive enough. We have this picture in our heads of what daily Bible study is supposed to look like, and we never seem to quite manage that perfectly peaceful scene. There are a hundred interruptions. Babies need to be fed, toddlers wake up too early from naps, kids fight and fuss. Half the time we feel defeated before we’ve begun.

“Just wake up earlier” doesn’t always work. I love the idea of reading my Bible, cup of tea in hand, watching the sun rise over the dewy field, praying serenely to the Father as my little ones sleep on. But that’s not my reality. If I get up at 3am, my kids are right there with me (yes, I know I'm the mom and can make them go back to bed, but it's still frustrating). And I don’t know about you, but first thing in the morning is not my highest functioning part of the day. On the other hand, it’s also hard to put the brakes on and step away for Bible study and prayer after the craziness of the day has begun.

What’s a mom to do? 

Daily study of the Word is possible, even for busy mamas. Real, intense, deep study. It’s not optional. We can’t grow without it. We’ve got to find time to be in the Scriptures every day. We’re doing this for our own souls, but we’re also doing it for the souls of our children. We can’t help them grow closer to God if we’re drifting further away from Him.

I asked for input from the older women in my life; women I want to be like if I ever grow up.  Many of these women were at one time busy, homeschooling mamas themselves, so they know what it’s like to juggle husband, house, kids, and school. How did they grow spiritually when their children were small?

“What did your personal Bible study and prayer time look like when all your kids were young?”

Here are a few of their replies:

“Mine looked like not as perfect as I would have liked. Not as much, not as quiet, not as deep, surely. But you cannot feel guilty for the time you are putting it in their hearts. You’re learning, magnifying Him, reaching for Heaven every day you BE the Deuteronomy 6 mom. You will find that answering their questions is THE priority of study for you. You have to sometimes dig and pray for what is essential for their spiritual development.” – Cindy

“To everything there is a season… I used to beat myself up because I did not have enough time to serve or study. Looking back, I think you do what you can – we are put in charge of those littles and their souls – that takes a huge amount of time and energy! Your time will come – all too quickly – to give yourself to fully devote it to God in a more personal way. Hang in there!” – Rhonda

“I studied while they slept, either early morning, late at night, or nap time. As they got a little older and could read, we had (and still have) a set Bible study time, where we all read our Bibles and study privately. We also have a time to read and study together as a family. Devotion time was (and still is) at bedtime. Staying awake during a prayer can be tricky if you are praying late at night in bed. Sitting in a less comfy chair helps, sitting up straight, keeping your eyes open, but focused up at the ceiling or some other spot. Writing you prayers helps, also.” – Toni

Here are some more of the tips I received:

Bible Study

· Mark up your Bible – Make your study interactive. Highlight, underline, make notes in the margin. Alternatively, print out a chapter and mark up that copy if you prefer not to write in your Bible.

·  Print out verses and post them all over the house in places where you will be standing or sitting for periods of time – over the sink, in the dining room, in the laundry room (one sister suggested posting laminated verses in the shower).

· Listen to recorded sermons and podcasts.

· Teach classes, write books or articles, study with the lost – Teaching forces you to study and leads to personal growth.

· Try to sit in front of your children with Bible in hand – even if just for five minutes – so they know you are in the Word.

· Set a timer and do not allow anything to distract you until the timer goes off.

· Teach your children that your Bible study time is only to be interrupted if there is blood – This takes work in the beginning. Discipline them for fussing at each other, asking you questions, or otherwise interrupting your personal time with the Lord. Teach them that they must play quietly until the timer goes off.

· Prepare a snack for your kids before you begin your study.

· Put the kids to bed at the same time every night, and then do your Bible study after they are asleep.

· If you study first thing in the morning, turn the lights on! Walk around a little, drink some coffee, give yourself a chance to wake up first.

· Commit to reading four chapters a day – Two in the O.T. and two in the N.T.

· Use naptime as your study time.

· “Blanket Train” your littles – Give them each a special blanket to sit on with a few toys or books that you only bring out for this period. Train them to stay on the blanket for increasing amounts of time. They’re not allowed to move even a finger off that blanket. (Even babies can learn not to crawl off their blanket during Blanket Time.)

· Study with your children – You don’t always have to be alone. Studying with your children counts, too!

“I tried really hard to make at least 5-10 minutes of quiet time in front of my kids with my Bible in my hand. I would teach them, “When I have my Bible in my hand I won’t answer your questions. I will not move until I am done.” I would set a timer and tell them, this is my time with Jesus and God alone. You can wait until the timer is done.” – Sherril

 Prayer

· Pray while you work on mindless tasks such as dishes and laundry.

· Pray while you nurse your little ones. It helps you take a deep breath and relax (which is also helpful for milk production and bonding with baby!)

· If you have trouble staying awake or focused while you pray, try sitting up straight in a less comfortable chair and keep your eyes open.

· Write out your prayers.

· Don’t feel bad about falling asleep while you pray. What better way to end your day?

· Keep a prayer journal.

· Assign prayer topics to certain tasks. These tasks act as triggers to remind you to pray about particular areas of your life (Dishes = prayers for missionaries; Folding laundry = prayers for your children, etc.)

 “The most important thing to remember is the goal of life is Heaven… I cried often in the early years because I never got to hear a whole sermon because someone had to be fed, or changed, or spanked, etc. But my sweet husband assured me that what I was doing in training and caring for my children was serving God and that the time would come when no one interrupted my worship. So true! ... So, enjoy where you are, develop a contented, peaceful mind. Raise your children with the best you can give each day… and love yourself.” – Cheryl

What about you? What did your Bible study time look like when your kids were little? If you’re a mom of littles, what does your study time look like right now?