I take a breath and give the day to the Lord, asking Him to use me and energize me and help me. I read the short daily excerpt from my all-time favorite devotional
Springs in the Desert by L.B. Cowman. Then I read the daily word from
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. These two little books pack a punch and get my heart prepared for the day without making me feel like I have to set aside a ton of time in this chaotic season of my life.
I also love that each book offers Scripture for the day. Honestly, as much as I would love to dig deep into the Word every morning, my life at this point just doesn’t allow that. Soaking in a few verses is just what I need to start my days. I can read those passages and meditate on one of them as I get going, letting God’s Word reach my heart. Even if it’s only one verse, it’s enough and He honors my time spent seeking His face.
Podcasts & Midday Breaks
One of my favorite things in life right now is so simple- taking a midday break. Normally the baby is napping and the older kids are busy with something (coloring, homeschool busy work, a movie, playing with toys, doing a chore), and I will get out my trusty headphones and turn on a podcast. I can’t even express the joy this simple practice has brought to my stay-at-home motherhood. I only wish I had thought of doing this for myself sooner! I get a dose of inspiration right in the middle of the day and it refocuses me and reignites my purpose every time. It is absolutely my biggest piece of advice for other moms!
My favorite podcasts right now are:
Life-Giving Words with Sally Clarkson
God Centered Mom Podcast
The Influence Podcast
InspiredToAction Podcast
All you have to do to find these gems is search for them in iTunes! If you don’t have an iPhone, I have no idea how you’d find them, but I would just Google them!
Another little tip…
Some days the kids have too much energy and I can’t even get into the kitchen to wash dishes and listen to a podcast. Those are the days I need a midday break more than ever! If the weather allows, I take the kids to the park even if it means naps aren’t on schedule, and let them run around. I pull out my headphones and listen to something refreshing while I push Emmett on the swings or follow him around the play equipment.
Whatever it takes, I really try to make a midday break happen at least a few times a week. I cannot say that I have ever had a bad day when I made time for that.
Prayer & Listening for God
I am sure when my kids are little older and my life isn’t so completely chaotic, I will have time set aside for silence and prayer, but right now I don’t. I know that’s not what you usually hear from articles about being a Christian mom, but I’m just being honest. Right now I pray in the shower, when I’m driving, in the middle of the night, when I’m washing dishes, when I’m walking back and forth through the house putting laundry away, when I’m locked in the closet and I just need Jesus now.
In this season of motherhood, I pray as I go throughout my day, but I do not have a set block of time for it. I have tried forcing that and it only led to a lot of frustration, so instead I asked God to meet me where I’m at and help me walk with Him in this time of my life, and this is where I’m at now.
When I do need quiet and I need to hear the voice of the Lord on a particular issue, I wait until I can get silence, and usually I take a long shower and just sit in His presence until I get some clarity. Maybe that seems awkward to you, I know it’s nothing fancy, but it’s what I do and it has simplified my life and brought me a great deal of peace, and it works for me.
That about sums up this part of how I do this mom life thing. As always, if I skipped something or you have a question, just leave a comment. I will always see it and I love responding to you 🙂
One last thing for the mama who never takes time for herself…
Friend, God wants abundant life for you. He made you to desperately need time with Him and time for yourself. Your well is empty and you are unable to give your family what they need. That’s not your fault, it’s the way we work as mothers. You can let go of the guilt that comes with doing something for yourself, even if there’s someone in your life making you feel guilty, let it go. It is your job to raise your babies and love on your husband, and it is simply impossible to do your best when you’re running on empty. Press pause, take a breath, and do something small for your tired spirit. I’m saying a prayer over you right now.