I remember the day I picked up my new glasses. I hadn’t had my prescription updated for three years. At that time, I wore contacts most of the day, so it didn’t seem to affect me that much. But I knew it was time to make the change when I had my exam and the doctor told me my eyes weren’t working together and that a prism would fix the problem. “Well, let’s do it!” I was fitted and the order was made.
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I read about a man who wanted to be a doctor so badly that he decided to impersonate one. Thank the Lord, he was arrested for doing so! Can you imagine putting your sick family member in his care? There’s a big difference between someone who says they are something and someone who really is what they claim.
When we read the fourth and fifth chapters of the book of Acts, we read words like, great faith and great power that came over the Christians. I can just hear their joy as they had all things common and were laying their gifts at the apostles’ feet so that the ministry of the Gospel could press forward.
How invigorating! How exciting!
But in my head, I can almost hear the music of the movie, Jaws beginning to play as Chapter 5 begins. It’s that eerie music that tells you that something really bad is getting ready to happen.
She remembers the day when she could get up, pour coffee, grab her Bible and head out to some comfy, solitary place to read, journal and pray. Now this busy mom’s alarm clock is a baby, a toddler and her school-aged children. Their faces, their needs, their cries all come first. There’s only apple juice, baby bottles, Cheerios and burned toast first thing after getting up. Oh, the coffee is made, but has been sitting on the burner for far too long. Her time in God’s Word is a desire in her heart, but how will it happen when there are so many other demands on a young mom’s plate? What is a young mom to do to grow spiritually?
Your demands as a woman might be different, but you’re busier than you’ve ever been, and find it difficult to cultivate time in God’s Word that is meaty and meaningful. What is a busy woman to do to grow spiritually?
I believe there are several practical ways for every woman to spend time in God’s Word when life is busy.
Place devotional books, books of God’s Promises, or other short reads in places where you can stop for a minute and read something from God’s Word. Put those kinds of books in a basket in the bathroom (if you’re fortunate enough to be in there alone!), in the laundry area, or in the car. Read something that will encourage your heart for that minute or two.
Listen to podcasts of preaching or other biblical broadcasts while you’re nursing the baby, folding clothes, making dinner, riding in the car, etc.
Listen to Scripture on your phone. In the same times I listed in #2, when you can’t sit down and open your Bible, you can still listen to someone else read it! I love the You Version.
Read the Proverb for the day. It probably only takes about five minutes to read a chapter. Highlight the verse(s) that jump out and speak to your heart and needs.
Don’t fill your mind with television and other “junk!” Use every opportunity to fill your heart and mind with God’s Word instead!
Write one verse that you want to memorize on a 3×5 card . Tuck that card into your pocket and keep it with you all day. Pull it out and refresh your heart with the next sentence, and the next and the next. In a couple of day’s time, you’ll have it memorized! Scripture in your heart can feed you all day long!
As your life slows down, begin to add in more and more of the kind of Quiet time that will really nurture your heart. These strategies are for a season, but not forever. Eventually you’ll be able to be back in a regular routine of study, journaling and prayer, but in the meantime, you can still be fruitful and growing!
Don’t allow the busy times to make you stagnant. This (busyness), too, shall pass – but you’ll never recapture what you could have gleaned if you don’t grab the spiritual nuggets when you can!
Are you a busy woman like I described? Which of these tools will you try?
We often read that statement and think immediately of the material provisions God gives, and praise God for those gifts! But God’s provisions for us as we follow Him are multiplied and varied to meet every need – physical, spiritual, and emotional. Let me tell you how I saw Him provide all that for us in Week Two at The Wilds.
Last night our small group met in our home to study Luke 5. Levi, the tax collector encountered Jesus and is called to follow Christ. He immediately left everything – EVERYTHING and followed Him. His monetary gain, his security, his family – were all left behind. Serving Christ is not without sacrifice.
As my husband and I continue to serve the Lord in this new D&D Ministry, I’ve been more aware of what it is to leave and follow. Our past ministries have been “home” to us, but for right now, the Lord’s directive has been “go.” On Monday evening we pulled into our driveway after traveling 2,063 miles.
RefreshHer 