Faith Steps for Weary Momsಮಾದರಿ

Overcoming Legalism For “Quiet Times”

Most moms I’ve chatted with say they miss their “quiet times” with God the most. Nothing will throw a wrench in elaborate spiritual disciplines - like little people with needs. Today, I’d love to share with you how we can spend time with God minus the guilt.

How has your quiet time with God changed since becoming a mom? Do you grieve the loss of your quiet time? Are you carrying guilt regarding how that time has changed?

As moms, the amount of time we spend with God can drastically change, but it doesn’t have to change in its quality.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”

Solomon’s point here is that our Father’s timing and plans are perfect in every season, in every cycle of life. With each ebb and flow. While our quiet time may not be Instagram or Pinterest-worthy, it is in fact time with God. These raw real moments are usually messy, loud, and interrupted, but they are also teaching moments and soul shaping encounters! Embrace the mess & rest in our Father!

Reminder of the Day:

Make time for Solitude with God but value His everyday presence too!

Here are some ways to actively pursue our Father, even in a busy season of motherhood:

1. Live in the presence of God and find rest in Him daily. (This is an act of pledging our devotion to Him and trusting Him for His protection.)

Psalm 62:1 says, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

2. Stop and give honor to God. He is with you.

Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of heaven's armies is her amongst us, the God of Israel is our fortress.”

3. Listen for His whisper.

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,“ the Lord told him. And Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said ‘What are you doing here Elijah?’” 1 Kings 19:11-15

In this passage, God reveals Himself after the chaos in the gentle “whisper,” but what's even more beautiful was the question He proposed. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” God didn’t ask this question because He needed to know the answer; He asked this question because He needed Elijah to know the answer. He wanted to remind Elijah of his calling. His purpose. His destination. Listen for His whisper in the chaos and remember why God called you to this season.

Action Steps:

Our time with the Father is a both/and method, not an either/or. So:

1. Name some ways you can invite God into the messy, raw real everyday moments.
2. Think of some ways you can create the solitude you desire within the everyday chaos that exists.