How do you find time to spend with God?

Jennifer - posted on 09/11/2009

I have found that I can't "find" time for God, I must "make" time for Him. I have two children - 2 1/2yrs. and 6mo. We are in a pretty set pattern for the day now so I get up earlier than them to have morning scripture time with a cup of coffee. It not only gives me time with the Lord but helps me relax and regroup for the day. When my 6mo old was a bit younger I would read and pray while she was nursing during my son's afternoon nap. It was about the only quiet time I had. That period of time went so quickly though. Also, I think it's ok to set aside time while your older two are awake and playing for you to read and pray. It's good for them to see mommy making God a priority. It may be rough at first (them interrupting you and such), but if you are consistent and let them know that that is a time for you to be with God, eventually they will get it and let you have that time. Now I'm not saying you should take an hour or anything, but 10-15 min. would be ok. I hope this helps.

Angela - posted on 09/10/2009

I get up before them and have my time with God, before anyone else in the house is up. With my older two I would pray out loud when they were misbehaving and they would tell people we help mommy spend extra time with God, because she prays out loud when we misbehave.

Theresa - posted on 09/09/2009

Spending time with the Lord isn't just about the quiet times. You have the wonderful opportunity to spend time with the Lord every minute of the day. HE is there just waiting for you anytime to come to him. That could be while you are changing diapers, washing clothes, when your bathing the kids you can sing wonderful songs of Jesus to them, etc. When you are having conversation with HIM you are spending time with HIM. When you praise HIM you are spending time with him. Call upon him ANYTIME!!

Carrie - posted on 09/09/2009

Completely understand where you are coming from. I have 4 kids at home and I homeschool the oldest two. It is very challenging finding time to spend with the Lord, but we have to remember that everything we do is glorifying him. So what I have found that when I do my dishes or fold wash, I either pray, talk to him or even sing Christian songs. Keeping a positive attitude while doing the things that need to be done during the day, whether changing diapers or just wiping up messes off the floor can be glorifying him cause you appreciate the things he has blessed you with. As time goes by you will be able to find that balance that allows you to have more time with him without the noise and distractions, but at least you're still talking to him in the meantime :) Good luck and remember you're not the only Christian mom that faces the same issue. I sometimes still deal with the same issue and wants and have to remind myself what I have just told you :)

Bernadette - posted on 09/09/2009

ST.MATTHEW 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,and his righteousness;and all these things shall be added unto you

Jamie - posted on 09/09/2009

Melissa, How interesting we just discussed this last week at church. By getting up in the morning and inviting the Holy spirit to be with you throughout the day is one way. Also ask God to help you with your tiredness and for strength to be able to spend time with him.Sacrifice a little of your sleep time no matter what it takes. God will see the sacrifice that you are making to spend time with him and will bless you. I also have 3 children, one with special needs and if it wasnt for those prayers for strength and patience I dont know how I would do it.My daughter has Autism and a lot of sleep issues, but through prayer she has gotten better. I also work a fulltime job until 10pm then thats when I go do my workout for the day and put on my I pod and just worship while working out. Like all the others have said delight in the fact that God answers prayers but we also have to do some of the work. God Bless!

Krysti - posted on 09/09/2009

Thanks for asking this question melissa. The responses have given me heaps of options to improve my irregular times with God too. Bless you

Jennifer - posted on 09/08/2009

I only have one amazing beautiful gift from God Child - so I can't imagine what you are going thru with 3 but I always had quiet moments when feeding her. (We bottled fed right from the beginning because we adopted). Pray when you are sitting there feedding. Make it a quiet time for the other two kids while you are doing this. (I have no clue if this works but suggest they help you pray with you when you feed).



God Bless you all

Darlene - posted on 09/08/2009

I do believe that we need time with God. But there are seasons in your life when you will have more time and it's during those times that you will be refreshed, revived and renewed. The virtious woman in Proverbs 31 whom the bible says is worth far more than rubies should be a model to us as christian wives and mothers. In all 31 verses of praising this woman there is not even one verse that does so because of her prayer life (although I am sure she must have had one) nor was she honored for the time she spent in God's Word or in worship. (although I am sure she must have done so) In all 31 verses she was praised for being a good help meet to her husband. She was praised for cooking, making cloths for her family, for being wise and resourceful with her family's money. She was praised for having compassion. She was praised for working hard. She was wise with her words and sweet to her children .Her husband could depend on her and he trusted her because she had never done anything to bring him shame or hurt him. She did'nt air his dirty laundry or spend to much money. Infact she found creative ways to add to her family's income. She is praised for keeping herself and her family dressed warm and nice. She is praised for being prepared and thinking ahead for the good of her family. She is praised for being a godly wife and mother, for making sure that the needs of her family are met, as I am sure you are doing now with your little ones. Don't let your heart grow cold, sing to Him, whisper your thoughts to him, know that He is there with you. As often as you can, make that special time alone with Him. But know that He is just as near to you and pleased with you making breakfast for your family as he is any other time.

Katherine - posted on 09/08/2009

God is with us at every breath, moment we have speak to him while the boys run through the house and the baby is screaming nothing is to much for God He can hear us no matter what ...time with God You have all the time The time it takes to type this message you could have spent with God....You don't need to wait till the end of the day be with God through the day and He will be their with you......

Amy - posted on 09/08/2009

I have four children and the best way for me to spend time with God is by keeping a constant dialouge going throughout my day. I just tell Him about my joy, my frustration, my fears, my desires, everything. Just in my heart and in my mind, I spend the entire day with Him. Then, in the before bed, I read my bible and I take small breaks through the day to read some, too.

APRIL - posted on 09/08/2009

HI,MELISSA;FIRST OFF,I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU,I'VE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW AND I HAD NO CLUE HOW I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH.BUT I HAD TO LEARN TO JUST TO TALK TO GOD AND PRAY THROUGHOUT THE DAY,BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT AS MOTHERS AND WIVES,WE DON'T HAVE ALOT OF TIME TO OURSELVES.NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE DOING OR GOING THROUGH,JUST SAY A LITTLE PRAYER;WHATEVER OR WHOEVER GOD PUTS ON YOUR HEART TO PRAY ABOUT.AND IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE THINGS CHANGE,PRAY 1CHR.4;10 FOR 30 DAYS AND SEE THE BLESSINGS GOD HAS FOR YOU.GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Carolee - posted on 09/07/2009

Hello Melissa ! My name is Carolee :D It does NOT sound horrible that you think you dont have or spend enough time with God. God knows your heart :D He is NOT worried.

You are a busy mom who has a lot of wonderful responsabilities/purposes in your life.



My relationship with God is the easiest relationship I have. He is not sitting up in heaven upset at me or you :D I have a life filled with all of His blessings. He loves that !



Life is sometimes difficult, but God is NOT !



I am spending time with God when I am gardening, I am spending time with God when I am encouraging people in their lives, I am spending time with God when I am playing with my children, I am spending time with God when I am hanging out with my husband or shopping with my girl friends. The list goes on and on and on. I am never seperate from God. He is NEVER seperate from me:D



God is NOT just interested in a specific kind of time spent with Him. God likes to be a involved in every part of our lives even in the amazing chaos!



The quiet time that is sometimes needed is for us. :D



He is with yoou and I wherever we go !



God is NOT interested in you feeling guilt or pressure ! He knows your heart :D



He knows your desire:D

Christina - posted on 09/07/2009

I have my Bible right next to my bed, as soon as I wake up I read it. Some days I have more time and others less. I also have a Bible in my livingroom and when I sit for a break I read, Prayer I have learned is continual, with four kids which I homeschool, I have to take what I can get. I also love to listen to Christian radio broadcasts which have additional teaching and encouragement. My Hubby is gone a lot with His job I have found if I don`t make the Lord a priority my day goes down the drain. Even if I can only seem to spare a min or two , I seem to have the strength given to me for the day I need.

Brenda - posted on 09/07/2009

i do it every time i go potty.i know that sounds funny but i do.and at times ive done it while i was showering.i listen to praise and worship songs and that not only helps me but the kids love it and calms them down.

Theresa - posted on 09/07/2009

I think the suggestion to play worship music whenever is fantastic! I can tell you, and it won't be a shocker - that a lot of times when the kids have ramped up the nerves to about 100, and I'm feeling like I'm about to break....I've heard that still small voice say "Put on that worship CD". Yes, it feels a little weird a first, but before you know it - the stress dissolves and I am worshipping Him in the midst of it all. God inhabits the praises of His people, so He'll be right next to you too. Like He always is, but we sometimes forget. :)



Also, maybe if you could try to get up earlier before the kids get up? I know that sounds nuts right now, but my MIL would get up at 5 and spend time with the Lord, and pray over the kids before they got up. I have yet to achieve this kind of discipline, but maybe you would want to try it. Even a half hour would be great, IMO.

Tracie - posted on 09/07/2009

Hard to hear in this moment, but this too shall pass, and you will giggle with delight at the blur you are in currently! I had my third child one week after my first child's third birthday! He was a C-section as well! Was sitting on his butt and wouldn't turn! I made it a point to put them all down at the same time for a nap. Even if they didn't sleep, it was quiet time!!! After a little while, it was habit, they looked forward to it, as did their Mommy!! Now, they are 13, 11, and 10, I look back so fondly at that time in my life! Enjoy every moment you can, take mental snap shots, forget about the dishes in the sink, they are not going anywhere! Just sit on the floor with your babies and revel in how magnificent they are!!! This too shall pass and you will be watching them grow quickly and look up and two will be in middle school, and one in his last year of Elementary school!! And you will look back fondly at these days you are currently living!

Tracie - posted on 09/07/2009

Mine are a bit older now, but in the early days, they were 19 months and 16 months apart. I was hopping! But, I realized, personally, I didn't need to set aside long prayer time, to feel my connection to God! I realized that throughout the day, I was offering prayer, in my heart swelling up with love watching my children, in my appreciation of my life, in my appreciation of my husband! Yes..we all need quiet time. They all took naps at the same time. I would get them all down, after a little while, they even looked forward to it! They slept all together even though we had enough bedrooms for each child. I would lay myself down in my bed, and pray, it was so easy for me, after spending much of my day in appreciation for these children, to begin prayer with, literally, rampages of appreciation, then, I would drift off to sleep, lucky enough to wake before the children. That time was blissful! Now, don't get me wrong, I had post partum depression after my third child, funny how now, all these years later, that was an after thought! But I know, that is how I moved through it! Reconnecting with God, through appreciation, love, prayer, and leaving dishes in the sink, letting the wash wait til I was finished taking care of me!!

Melissa - posted on 09/06/2009

All of you have been so encouraging and helpful. Thank you so much! I am actually going to try putting the bible verses around the house, and I was already talking to Him frequently throughout the day. I guess I felt like that wasn't enough. I like the idea of turning on the christian radio station too...I have tried that and it has helped focus me and de-stress me during some bad days. I think a lot of you are right when you say getting up a little earlier in the moring is the answer...man, do I fight that! I am not a morning person, but I know God will bless me and maybe, just maybe I'll turn into one. thank you again for all of your kind words and prayers! It means so much to know that people all over are praying for you. If I don't get to meet you here, I look forward to someday meeting you in Heaven.

Heidi - posted on 09/06/2009

I often try to try to get up a bit earlier than everyone else, but also have 3 (age 4, almost 3, and 9 wks), so there are times that I just can't make myself get up. I find times to have some quality minutes during the day... Beth Moore has a book called "Praying God's word day by day" it is some short verses in prayer that is really helpful to me...

Kisha - posted on 09/05/2009

i sometimes struggle with this, just like any christian mother who has other responsibilites, they may not admit it but I'm quite sure they do. one thing you have to do is find a place and time that you know you can devote to Him. i know i'm not a morning person, so I know getting up for 5am prayer is not going to work for me. So, I say a short thanksgiving prayer when i get up. My time with Him is at work and my car. When i'm drivng to work, i'll talk to God like I'm talking to one of my closet friends. people lool at me like i'm crazy, but that's okay because i'm crazy for Him. Then i'll get to work and we have our am meeting. After that meeting before I start seeing patients, i'll spend time with Him. I'll pray, pour my heart out to Him, read my devotions and start my day. Through out the day, i'm consistently talking to Him, asking for patience, asking What would Jesus do. Then on my way home from work, i'm talking to Him again, and then later that day. To me lately, it seems I'm talking to Him more than

i do anyone else. it seems like i'm always talking to Him or i'm talking to people about Him. so, the more you try talking to Him, trust me He will make you find time for Him.

Kati - posted on 09/05/2009

Wow I remember those days my first 3 are now 14, 12, and 11, (yes they are 22 months and 14 months apart). I struggled for years with this same problem, and I did not want to use the answer the Lord kept giving me but finally I have accepted it, first thing in the morning I get up anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour ( depending on how tired I am) and I use the first part of the new to do a short devotion ( I love journey's monthly devotion) and if there is time I try to read more of my Bible. I have grown to love the early morning. Sometimes, weather permitting I curl up on my porch swing with my coffe and read there.



Hope this helps. :)

Yvette - posted on 09/04/2009

I also find it difficult to find time with him, and i've only got 2 kids.but what i try to do is pray throughout the day, whatever i'm doing, after all the bible instructs us to pray continuously and meditate on his day and night so we must be able to do this while doing other things like housework and screaming at the kids. Its not easy, and plenty of days i go without praying at all, but with Gods strength i'll get there. Hope this helps a little bit, i'll be praying for you.

SANDRA - posted on 09/04/2009

Peace Be Still.The same words Jesus gave to His disiples as He comanded and calm the raging of the sea. No it is not horrible, there are many ways to spend time with God when you have very little time to spend. As you care for your childern, feding them, putting them down for their nap, use that time to pray.They also have the Bible on CD. Insted of reading bed time stories, read the Bible to them, it'll only enhance the ministry you are already doing,...being a good Mother!

Holly - posted on 09/04/2009

The greastest thing is that you don't have to pray to talk to God = ) Talk to him about anything!! " Oh Lord, is'nt my my child the sweetest?" or " Wow Lord, you really gave me a beautiful day today!!"

Rosa - posted on 09/04/2009

Not sure if this has all been said, since I too don't have time to sit & read FB. However, listening to Chris Tomlin while my kids make a small craft after school (and I'm prepping for dinner) has been my saving grace. I get to worship God and at times I just raise my hands to Him while doing the dishes & ask Him for comfort, guidance and to teach me to use my time wisely for His Kingdom. I sometimes, depending how late I get to bed the night before, get up 20 mins before everyone else and sit at my kitchen table. I read Proverbs to start out my day then I just talk to God for a few mins. Going to bed I read a chapter in Psalms! Hope this helps and I will keep you in my prayers Melissa! Praise Him in all things:0)

Maureen - posted on 09/04/2009

You need some quiet time for yourself ! Time for reflection and uninterupted thought.

Call in some favors from family and friends to watch the kids. Go to a drop in centre where someone will watch the kids while you visit with other parents. My credits to you for managing 3 small children. There should be medals of honor ! Take care.

Pamela - posted on 09/03/2009

One thing you can do is put on Christian music,songs of praise and thanksgiving.They can be so uplifting,some are scripture put to inspirational music.It has even changed the atmosphere in my home when mine were young.Little ones enjoy music.There's even DVDs of great concerts like "John Tesh,Live at Red Rocks".And just talk to God as you go through your day.It may not seem like it,but the Lord is with you,He never leaves or forsakes us.There's things you can do like put little scriptures around the house.Above the sink,stove,even in the bathroom.You can find little plaques with sciptures in many places,Christian bookstores,even Walmarts has them from time to time.My mom loves finding them at dollar stores and has given them as gifts.If nothing else write a few on post its and stick them at eye level.It really helps.I have them all around my desk here.Some my daughter made before she died and I have left them right where she put them,comforted in the knowledge she knew where she was going and we will be together again.God's word grows more precious every year,and those babies will grow.As time passes you'll treasure these times with your babies and know God was with you all along the very busy way.
May God bless you and give you peace,give you the strength and wisdom to raise and guide your children,may He guide you by His Spirit,and meet every need.May he draw you closer to him each day,and keep you and yours in His tender care.
YSIC,
Pami

Heather - posted on 09/03/2009

With young kids it's hard. I have scripture posted all over my house. It helps because even if I don't have time to sit down and talk to God, I have his word there at a glance. It's very encouraging. Also I don't want to sound harsh, so please don't take it that way, but I have found in my own life that if I try to find time for God in my life, I can't. God isn't something that we can squeeze in on occasion when we have nothing else to do. (As moms, we never have nothing else to do by the way. I'm sure you all knew that...) When our kids are crying we don't find the time to help them, we make the time. It should be the same with God. And on that note, it shouldn't be something that is only done once a day. I pray off and on all day. God doesn't care if I sit and pray for an hour every morning, its the quality not quantity. We shouldn't try to fit God into our busy schedule, but since he lives in us we should let him live through us. I don't know if that makes as much since to you as it does to me.... I don't know how to put it in words. God isn't a part of who we are, he made us. He is my everything. Here are a few verses I want to share with you.

Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 5:21
For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.

Audrey - posted on 09/03/2009

I would pray that God would give you time to spend with Him each day.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you WILL receive.

Don't give up! He will answer your prayers if you believe! God bless you!