How to make time for God when you don't have time

I have a kinda embarrassing confession to make. I guess I always try to lie to myself, but lately, even if the truth hurts I've been searching my own heart and admitting my faults.

I'm terrible at following through with some commitments. I would definitely rather now commit to anything so I didn't have to cancel anything. For example, if I commit to going to my bible study then I don't have time for the homework most days. But, at least I showed up right? Who can blame me? I'm a busy mom, trying to run multiple business and writing on 4+ blogs. It's hard to juggle all those things. Things in which I say "yes" to  way more than I should. I guess I'm not great at time managment either so I rush around last minute to get things done too if I can muster up enough energy to get them done. 5 hour energy shots are a must for me. I'm running on an empty tank lately. Just plain exhausted. So where do I have time for God if I don't even have time for myself? Let alone time for a shower.

Post it notes are perfect for writing scriptures on and spiritual reminders on them. Place them on the mirror so when you are getting ready you can read them. Especially when blow drying your hair!

Make small prayer lists like things and people to pray for.

Scriptures, quotes & anything uplifting.

I personally have a post it note on the dash of my car by the volume knob that says "PRAY."

Everytime I look at it, it reminds me to talk to God. Praise Him, pray in the spirit, thank Him, prayer over circumstances and declare victories!

Seriously ladies, the Bible app is amazing for busy days. Read the daily verse and when you have a minute, grab your phone and read some more. Anytime you have a second meditate on the daily verse!

I use the YouVersion Bible App.

After you put the kids in bed, find an awesome sermon on youtube and lay in bed or take a bubble bath!

You can also read a daily devotional or your bible! If you get the kids on a nightly routine then it is a lot easier to have a few minutes to yourself at night to spend with God.

Remember, He is #1 in our lives! So let's make Him a priority in our busy lives!

Solitude

Solitude: A state or situation in which you are alone, away from society, usually by choice.

When was the last time you experienced this?

True solitude. Away from society. No cell phone. No TV. No computer. No noise. No kids. No work. No planner or calendar. Alone in peace and quiet. With nothing but the presence of God.

It's hard - there are few moments in our busy, schedule filled, "app for that" world, that we can set down our phones, close the computer, shut off the TV, and experience quiet times. Think about when your home or life is the most calm and quiet. Maybe it's early in the morning when no one is awake yet. Or late at night when the kids are in bed. What do you do in those moments? Are you usually in front of the TV or on the computer?

If you want to hear from God... you have to start listening. And it's hard to truly hear Him with all the other background noise. Your heart has to be open to listening, but that can only happen when we are in His presence. When was the last time you took time alone in solitude with God?

Here's a challenge:
Pick a time to have solitude every day. Whether that's early in the morning before work or school or later at night when the kids are in bed - choose a time and stick with it every day!

Pick a place! It doesn't make sense to try and get peace and quiet at your kitchen table when the kids are running around getting ready for school or when you're sitting in front of the TV because there are distractions. Pick a safe, serene, quiet place that is off limits to distractions when the Word is open and the eyes of your heart are open to the Lord.

Pick how you want to learn in your solitude. If you don't have your Bible with you, then how can you read the Word of God and harbor it in your heart? Start a Bible study or a book that will challenge your growth. Take index cards, pen, and paper so that you can write key verses down and start to memorize them.

If your ears, eyes, heart, and mind are filled with the noise of the world then how can you hear, see, and feel Christ?

Solitude.

Live in His Presence

 

 

(soaking.net)

 

Live first and foremost in my presence.

 

 

Gradually you will become more aware of Me than of people and places around you.

 

This awareness will not detract from your relationships with others.

 

Instead, it will increase your ability to give love and encouragement to them.

 

My Peace will permeate your words and demeanor.

 

You will be active in the world, yet one step removed from it.

 

You will not be easily shaken, because my enveloping Presence buffers the blow of problems.

 

This is the path I have set before you.

 

As you follow it wholeheartedly, you experience abundant Life and Peace.

 

 

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. -- Psalm 89:15-16

 

I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. -- Psalm 16:8

 

 

-Jesus Calling

 



Spend more time with God

 

(source)

 

SPEND TIME WITH ME for the pure pleasure of being in My company.

 

I can brighten up the dullest of gray days; I can add sparkle to the routines of daily life.

 

You have to repeat so many tasks day after day.

 

This monotony can dull your thinking until your mind slips into neutral.

 

A mind that is unfocused is vulnerable to "the world, the flesh and the devil," all which exert a downward pull on your thoughts.

 

As your thinking processes deteriorate, you become increasingly confused and directionless.

 

The best remedy is to refocus your mind and heart on Me, your constant Companion.

 

Even the most confusing day opens up before you as you step by step with Me.

 

My Presence goes with you wherever you go, providing Light for your path.

 

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. --Psalm 63:7-8

 

Your word is a lamp to  my feet and a light for my path. -- Psalm 119:105

 

-Jesus Calling

 

 



Be Still

Be still and know that I am God

So much easier said than done, isn't it? I have a hard time being still. My natural tendency is to go go go... I'm guessing I'm not the only one like this! My alone time with God is usually in bed when I pray for my family, for my friends, thank the Lord for the day etc., but there have been times in my life when I have been in the habit of speaking to the Lord throughout the day. It becomes so easy to talk to God like he's a friend sitting right next to me when I make it a habit to include him in every part of my day. When I'm driving I thank him for the view of the snowy mountains in the distance. When I'm reminded of people I automatically say a prayer for them. When I see people on the street who look cold/hungry/lonely I pray for them, when I'm happy I talk to the Lord, when I'm sad I talk to the Lord, when I'm afraid I talk to the Lord... he's always in the front of my mind!

About 9 months ago we were talking about this in a Bible study and I decided to be very intentional about carving out quiet time for myself with the Lord. I decided to set an alarm on my phone to go off every 4 hours throughout the day, and wherever I was I would stop and have a meaningful time with God (meaning not rushed, spending time talking to him but also just sitting in quietness to listen for his voice). The first time my alarm went off was at 8am. At the time my son was almost 3 and my baby had not yet been born. I put my little one in front of the t.v. and told him that I needed a few minutes of quiet time. I went in my room and closed the door. I sat down on the floor with my Bible and decided to start by reading a passage and then move on to prayer. I did my reading and then sat quietly with my eyes closed to allow the Lord to speak. I think my eyes were closed for about 30 seconds when my little one started knocking on the door. "Moooooom." Sigh. This was going to be harder than I thought! I took him back to the living room and tried again. I think I only got about 5 minutes total with the Lord but you know what? It felt good to start my day this way! The next alarm went off at noon. I was able to stop where I was at and say a long uninterrupted prayer. The 4:00 alarm went off while I was tutoring so that didn't quite work, but I made sure as soon as I got to my car to stop and have a moment with the Lord before I set out into rush hour traffic. My evening alarm went pretty much unanswered. Oops.

This challenge was a little harder than I thought it would be but I actually enjoyed it. My goal was/is to make a habit of talking to God throughout the day (not just before bed!), and finding times throughout the day to just BE STILL.