One of the commenters wondered how, with my early risers, I find "Jesus time" in my day. I think most moms have to think through this aspect of life every now and then. How DO you find time to specifically spend with Jesus when you have 3 kids ages 4 and under, a husband who is injured and really can't do much of anything, a job, and kids who are awake by 5:30 each day? Well, this has been quite the adventure for me.
You see, I used to have an attitude problem. I used to think reading a certain number of chapters a day in my Bible = being a "good" Christian. I used to get angry when my kids interrupted my reading/journaling time. Wow. Yeah, can't you totally see Jesus throwing a tantrum that some little child interrupted his time praying? Please.
There came a time when I realized that it was not worth getting angry at my children for interrupting my Bible reading time. God has given me children and He expects me to care for, love, and BE Jesus to them. One of our hugest responsibilities as parents is to introduce them to Jesus and "to train them in the way they should go". I don't know about you, but I don't want my children to learn to be angry people. The association of mom + Bible + kids = angry mom is not one that I'd like them to adopt.
I eventually began to embrace the distractions of motherhood; learned to hug my children when they woke up from naps and interrupted my reading. There are days when I don't read my Bible. God doesn't love me any less.
I learned that my time with Jesus would look different at different times in life. It's not bad, it's just different. It changes. It's a new adventure all the time.
Sometimes it looks like me listening to a podcast of someone I enjoy (such as Daniel Brown) while doing dishes. Sometimes it looks like reading my Bible online while on my break at work. Sometimes it means I read the Bible on my phone while rocking a baby to sleep. Sometimes it simply looks like a constant conversation between me and Jesus throughout the day. And sometimes I just end up passing out at the end of the day once the kids are in bed.
It takes a positive attitude, adaptability, and a willingness to love Jesus and your family in new and changing ways despite your life's circumstances.
At times, being a mom means that you don't always get to do the things you WANT to do the way you WANT to do them. Getting upset over this fact does no good. I'm choosing to embrace it.
How does Jesus + Motherhood look for you right now? Any tips or advice?
I am a night owl, and I loved putting my kids to bed, snuggling with something great to drink, my bible, and my prayer journal. Mega relaxing. Mega uninterrupted. And mine all mine. Well. And God's. Some people are offended when I say I used to save my bible time because you are supposed to "start your day with God". I can't get them to see that I spent all night mulling over the scriptures in my sleep. I DID start my day with God.
ReplyDeleteI've just started my journey into motherhood., so I don't really have any advice :(. You are doing great though. God doesn't expect perfection, but its so easy to get caught up in wanting to be a good Christian. I have the same problem. I just remind myself that relations change and adjust throughout time. It looks like you are doing okay
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing a great job! A better one than me. People say things online that they wouldn't to your face. And no one, ever, should judge your relationship with God. :)
ReplyDeleteShontell- I think that peoples' opinions are part of what makes it so hard for moms to adjust in this area as they have children. What other people think my relationship with Jesus should look like does not matter-what Jesus says about me and our relationship does.
ReplyDeleteHannah- I agree with you that it is so easy to get caught up in wanting to be a "good" Christian...it's hard to avoid thinking that we need to "do" certain things a certain way to qualify. Isn't being a mom great? Challenging but so worth it!
irishtwinsmomma- Thanks for the encouragement! And please don't compare yourself to me...You are a totally different person and we are all in process of learning and growing! BTW, your water play pictures are adorable!
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