Attention Christian mothers...I Need Creative Ideas!!

God Bless you A. for wanting to get back on board. Devotions are always hard to find time for in the normal sense. Children, homes, hubby's, errands etc..
With God anything & everything is possible.
There are several online Devotionals you can sign up for and have delivered to your inbox daily. One I like very much is http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/

There is one called Girlfriends In God.
Daily -Equipping women for their journey to the heart of God.

I find this so much more personal and inspiring. I used to read through the Bible in a year with a chart. Well I got stuck in a rut doing that. I bought devotional books for women. I have books galore. I have been involved in Friendship Bible Coffee studies weekly with other women.
I came to the Lord 38 yrs ago this Easter SONday. I have tried and done just about every type of Devotional, journaling you can think of.
If you sign up for the Crossroads women's devotional, read them when they come in. Open a word page and title it words of God to my heart. Each day Pray, Lord allow me to receive that which you have for me this day. Then make a note of what the devotional that day said to your heart and spirit.
It will bless you abundantly. You might even encourage a good friend to sign up and share your thoughts and feelings with them daily through email or how ever you like to visit.

I hope this has given you some idea's or inspired you to take a step forward by "faith we receive".
"The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I
need to know."

God Bless you
K. Nana of 5

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power,both now and ever". Amen.
Jude 1:24-25

I don't have much advice about how to fit it into your day because I too struggle with it. My husband works rotating shifts, so every two weeks I have the house to myself once the kids go to bed - but even then sometimes I'm just too exhausted to do anything. Anyway...what has been helping me is studying topics that I can readily relate to and apply to my daily life and current situations. Right now I have a book title "Bible Moms: Life Lessons from Mothers in the Bible" by Amber Albee Swenson. It's written in a bible study format with questions and places to write in the book. There are 12 study lessons, each one is on a mother in the Bible and the lessons to learn from her. Another I am reading is "Patient Parenting" by John Juern. It covers 49 different parenting topics such as potty training, homework headaches, christian fatherhood, and spritual strength. It provides guidance based on God's Word. I find it easier to make the time when my devotions apply to the situations that I am currently facing.
Here are links to read more about these books:
http://online.nph.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?10418&productID...
http://www.vmipublishers.com/servlet/ProductView?command=...

God Bless you in effort to strengthen your spiritual life.

One of my friends recently asked me if I pray. It shocked me, because we've known each other for almost 20 years! That's how private I am when it comes to my relationship with God. My answer to her was: I don't think of it as prayer...I think of it as an ongoing conversation which never ends.

To help me focus, during naptime, sometimes I light a candle &/or grab a book (like the Purpose Driven Life or the Shack) & then just think thoughts. No tv, just soft music (which I use for naps anyway). I also receive daily devotionals thru several different Enewsletters. Hope this helps.

Great thoughts ladies ~
Another thing too.... indoctrinate yourself with teaching tapes / cd's in the car. Set all your cd holders with great teaching from all your favorites and everytime you are in the car you will get small little "teachings" all throughout your day. With little or no effort! The Holy Spirit will mold just the right ones too for just the right moment, believe me! Plus get a really great set of Bible on Tape with some really cool voice actor ie. James Earl Jones or something. This is such a must for your little one(s) as well. What could be more soothing than to listen to God's Word, and you would be surprised how much they like it! They might even quote some to you, lol!~
Just make sure to have something else on if Hubby is not into motivational speakers.:O) Mine wasn't, but didn't care if " I " listened to them, just not with him.

When the girls were younger and sometimes still. We; them AND I would listen to motivational speakers / women of faith and others that were available on video or even just on some TV Teaching series. Folding laundry, listening while doing my dishes or any housework, I ALWAYS had someone on, just to keep my motivation for life, you know? There are some seriously great speaking available online as well just look it up.
My girls were pretty accustumed to hearing Joyce Meyers,Kate McVeigh,Dani Johnson,Paula White... and other great ladies that they even know their voices and say " Didn't you used to listen to her Momma? " ...

Plus I would really like to say....
That the ONE thing that I regret with my own parents whom I hold in highregard for their amazing faith...was that although they LIVED it, they did not really ever SHARE their intimacy for God WITH us. We "got" to go to church and we did read the Bible as a family, but the applicatoin part was pretty lacking. Somehow we received our faith through osmosis I guess, lol , Or some may say the HolyOne, but that is just MY two cents. It isn't enough to live it you must also share it, or they won't actually know what you are thinking.

I began sharing my faith as if my life would be taken tommorrow. Sort of like, Always say I love you because it may be your last chance. Not in a negative way, because I don't dwell on that, but more like, an urgency & passion to get what is inside of me - OUT... and to the most important folks first/ my family! Just to ensure that they know how to talk to God and why we talk to God and who He is , and How the Holy SPirit works, and what IS the Holy Spirit. So from the very beginning,they KNOW how to hear Him at all times; especially when we get 'busy'. Bless their hearts, the girls have been indoctinated with what my husband and I believe about every and any thing. We never hold anything back or speak down to them in " cute kid terms" just because they are little. We ask THEM what THEY think a TON too, because their faith now is inspiring as well, and they are not afraid to share it, because they do not know any different. But with respect for everyone's point of view so GOd's LOVE is what is magnified, not just our spin on things.
Now that the girls are older, we actually "set the day straight" together on the way to school. We pray and do affirmations of our faith over our day/ their day, and just anyone they think may need some extra 'prayer cover' that day.... and oddly enough sometimes it is ME they pray for , LOL!
Oh,and funnier yet; They miss it too, if my husband takes them and let's me sleep in that day...and will actually DO it even with him in the car~!
ages 9,6,4!
It has now become such a testimony to my husband.

Teaching your kids to "pray without ceasing" and just "be in God's presence" , is a active lesson, on going and ever constant. When you are at the store, when you are cooking, when you change a diaper for the umpteenth time. Teach them by sharing out loud and at the same time...this TOO becomes "your quiet time" of thankfulness and expression of praise to your creator.Pray and speak the Word of God over your life, out loud! Christ never JUST "thought about God/His Father", although that had it's place too, but mainly when something needed to change or whatever, He spoke most ALL the time Out Loud over any and all situations that required need of a saviour.

Devotional times "I" think is something of a new era we live in where "life" gets in our way because we are trying to "live" by ourselves.Yes, just taking time to breathe in life deeply and slow down for just 5 minutes even is HUGE. Do it in the shower. But for real, don't beat yourself up. I mean it took you more time to write your note on here probably, so THERE was your devotion. Your call for help. It will take you time to read all these notes, especially mine, sorry:O). You DO have a devotional life!
Stop what you are "thinking in your mind as lack" and start living at ALL times FOR Him and know that He is God, and has not left you but rather just waiting to be noticed/ recognized and know that He IS talking to you quietly. ALL the time.
Notice~ Those little first "Holy SPirit Hunches" . That first impulse you have when you should buy sugar and then your reasoning mind takes over and says, no you just bought some....but then later, you get home and the next day someone asked you to make 3 dozen cookies for some special project? THAT is God. Thank Him and give HIM the praise when you actually DO take HIS advice and you buy the sugar, and repent when you don't and do better next time!
Begin today taking HEED for everthing. Out loud in front of your little one... " What should we make for dinner Lord?" and wait...the answer will come in some sort of a confirmation in an answer or an advertisement, or some plastic food your toddler picks up in his toys!

Your devotional life is STILL intact and probably if I was guessin, even STRONGER then you think...remember. We wrestle not against flesh and blood ( phsycial time constraints )... Your life is Devotion to your Saviour. Live it.

Don't let the negative one steal your joy "in your mind" from just "being" in His presence when you are IN the journey of motherhood by making you feel "less close" to the creator because you have not set aside a some "specific time" JUST for HIM. He doesn't need it...
HE needs YOU ALL THE TIME! :O) He just needs YOU to recognize that this IS it. This IS your devotion to Him.

We love and encourage you my dear and hope that you will indeed accept the peace that He has for you today and always ; just upon asking for it. That is the whole reason Christ couldn't stay with us. He said " I must go so that the Comforter will come" .

No special prayers, no special time, just ANYTIME, and ALL the time. Relish the little tidbits of the moments of love He showers you with that He is just dieing to reach you with so you will know He loves you sooo much.
Check out the song by Barlow Girl or Zoe Girl /
" Never Alone " .....
HTH Peace~

I have several different things I do, but one thing I do every night is read from my moms bible. There is a bible created by the MOPS organization for moms. It gives you a bit of scripture and then a devotional. I spend about 15 minutes in the evening before bed. It's not ideal, morning is best before beginning the day, but my little girl wakes up around 5:30 so getting up much earlier than that is tough. I have gotten very active in church and that seems to help too. Try different things, you'll find what fits you best. I will pray for you in your spiritual journey.

Hello A.. I see there are several ideas here. I just had one book to add. Shepherding a Childs Heart (Tedd Tripp) is an EXCELLENT book I have read. There is a "Parents Handbook" in addition to the book that is a devotional. I have not gone through the devotional yet as I am finishing up another book but I did order it. A trusted friend of mine highly reccomends it. I got it on eBay for like $10. Good luck and God bless you.

A., I could have wrote this! I've tried just about everything to no avail. I feel like God is at the bottom of the pile when it comes to priorities and yet I pray every night about it and try and change that.

One thing I try and do is respond when I'm being woke up in the night. I figure if I am waking up extra to go to the bathroom or having odd dreams or the cats knock something over, God wants me to talk to him. So I go with that :)

Otherwise, I've been trying to give up more tv, keep the house cleaner etc. While cleaning house I've been downloading MP3 audio books and listening to Christian books like books on prayer or even Christian fiction. I figure anyway I can keep my mind and heart on him, he'll know that I WANT more.

Suzi

I feel similar to you. As life becomes busier and there are more people that demand attention from us, we lose time for ourselves. (Part of being a mommy & wife) But remember the time that we take out of our busy lives for God is more precious than any "free time" we may have. Teach your baby that when your bible is out, it is quiet time. Turn off TV and any distractions. Invite your husband to read your bible with you. If he declines, let him know that you fully intend on spending time with God and ask for his support whether it be helping you with your little boy during that time or just leaving you alone ;). I don't have any great plans or journals (just the KJV Bible) but I do faithfully pray that God will give me the strength to devote that time to Him and focus only on Him. These are just things that work for me. Good luck, I can't wait to see other responses.

Hi. I too struggled for a while, and being exhausted from lack of sleep makes morning devotionals hard for me too. I started soing two studies a day though. The first, is acctually a book...The Complete Guide to the Bible by Stephen M. Miller. It really has made the Bible come to life. Knowing the History and how it ties to today's world makes it make sense. (And I hate history and reading both). It is layed out in a very easy to read and understand format. It also has great illistrations. Cost at the book store was $19.97. The other study I do with my husband since he often works 12-16 hour days, and depending on the week sometimes 7 days a week. (Military life). It is called Daily Marriage Builders for Couples by Fred and Florence Littauer. We read it in bed before going to sleep. After being married for 7 1/2 years, we are getting a chance to know each other better every night. It is a great conclusion to our days. It takes less than 10 minutes to read, but discussions have lasted anywhere from 5 minutes to 2+ hours. It has been a great addition to our lives. In what ever you choose, keep praying together as a family and as a couple. Your son will see what is important in your life and will make it a priority in his life too. J.

Good morning, i think we all fail sometimes But! I make a point every morning before I get my son up, I read atleast one verse out of bible, Then I have 2 different devotional groups that send me daily news, I also have a group of ladies I send a devotion to every morning and as well they do the same, We pray for each other when needed, it is a great way to start my day. I have great books one of my favorites is Expressions of Faith, another is Hope for each day! I would be glad to add u to our group of people if u would like, Just let me know. I am a single parent<divorced> I have a son who has autismn, I was married 7 years. We just agreed to disagree we are friends now, I work for the independence school dist. I take care of elderly in the evenings I never stop between special olympics, art classes, boyscouts it does get tiring But! I have to take 30 minutes for me every morning just to get myself on track. C. Let me know if I can help.....I have been a christian for 6 years....

Ha Ha! I know how you feel. I have felt this way before. I dont feel like a have a lack of the lord in my life, because I hold him close and he is always there, all day everyday.
BUT I do feel a strong need to take my children to church, there are quite a few things I still need to learn so I feel, how will I teach me kids if I dont know....thats where the church thing comes in for me. Plus there are so many great programs for the kids and getting to know your neighbors and good people you want to surround yourself with. This is why I feel I need to go, and have this guilty cloud over my head for not going....I WILL, WILL!!!
I know a lot of people have journals, but I think its just whatever works for you, if you feel like its a chore, its probably because it is. I dont have a journal, and call me crazy but I talk to God in my mind all day!! I dont have time to write that down!

A.,
I am a little different than you, that having kids has in some ways made my spiritual life stronger, as someone mentioned, it's much like an ongoing conversation, in the shower, while I'm driving and the kids are distracted, bits here and there. I don't have many ideas, but mostly what I wanted to say is that it's great to try and add, but remember this is the time in your life that the needs of your kiddo comes first, it really won't be very long until you have more time and energy to spend on this. I really think of my actions toward my kids (most of the time!) as my homage to God. Being a good mom is prayer! I don't mean to discourage you from finding more devotional time, I just mean to say you might not be as "dry" as you think.

K.

I don't have any real ideas. but I what you to nkwo you are not alone. let me know what ideas you get. maybe we both can us them. Where area do you live in if you don't mine me asking??? What and where do you go to church. if is so hard as moms. that is what Satan wants. hang in there. keep in touch what you try :)

Hi A.,

I too struggle sometimes like you. I am certainly not a morning person. But I try really hard to get up about 30 minutes before my kiddos get up and spend time with the Lord. I find that when I do spend time with Him in the morning my day goes so much smoother and I am the mom that I want and desire to be with my children. We go to Lakeland Community Church and we had a sermon a few weeks ago that really touched my heart. Our pastor simply said that we need to "Live in a God Bathed world" I am not perfect when it comes to having quiet time in the morning by any means... I slept in this morning :( but when I miss my time with God I try to pray a few minutes before I get the kids up. I also constantly listen to K Love (97.3) in the car and contemporary christian music on yahoo radiocast. I try to surround myself with Worship music and I find that it keeps my heart and mind on God. There have been mornings when I am doing my quiet time that my 4 1/2 year old comes down and asks what I am doing. So I involve her in my quiet time. She is learning what it is and what it means, how to pray to God, it is really incredible! Anyway, try try try to get up just 30 minutes earlier in the morning. You will feel so much better when you have even just 30 minutes with your Father in Heaven! Try to live in a God Bathed World! Your children will see God shine through you and others will too! Thank you so much A. for giving us all a chance to have some fellowship on mamasource!!!!

God Bless you!
M.

Dear A., I have been a christian all of my life. I married a man, who is not into church or expressing faith very well. After I had our first son, I had trouble getting back into routine and I fell out of going to church and studying my bible. My dad gave me a book, and at the time I thought he was just criticising me for not going to church, but now I believe he was just reaching out, because the book really got me back on track. I am now a deacon on the board of our church. My two sons and I go to church every sunday while my husband goes to work, and I am well again in my soul. The book is called "Bible Readings For Mothers" by mildred tengbom. It may not be exactly what you are looking foe but it may give you the push you need like it did me. Good luck and God bless!

Hi, there are a lot of Christian web sites you should search through that offer mailing free cds with bible teachings on them every month. You can listen to them while cleaning, driving, or whatever. That's an alternative since you don't have time to actually go to the church. bring the church to you.

I am sorry that I do not have any ideas...I am a 60 year old mom who never had a quiet time until my 5o's!!!! I do not know how I got thru w/o them before! I am praying that someone will have a great "doable" idea for you so that your spiritual life is not longer "dry". Remember, it will be a wonderful example for your children to see their mom spending quality , regular time with the Lord. Let them know what you are doing, that it is very important to you and that you need this time with God to pray for them! They will know how to do it in their life and maybe not have to write Mamasourse!!!! This is a great opportunity for you to witness to your kids and probably their friends as well someday. AND you will have the most intimate relationship with our Lord ever! I envy the fact that you are so concerned with this now...it will pay off is so many ways in the future. See you in heaven!!!

S. goebel

Hello! I am struggling as well, and I'm reading a fantastic book called "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. She talks about how important it is to find that quiet time every day, but also about how we need to be rooted in God. Those roots can sustain us when we simply aren't able to have a quiet time (and with a toddler that can happen!). It outlines a plan for how to go about improving your devotional times. Good luck!

I understand completly. I know your little one is too young to understand everything but not too young to begn learning. I started having my time with God when my kids were busy playing. I would kneel and pray while I was in the same room with them. Yes, it can be distracting, but it can also be a teaching tool. Several times I would turn around and put my finger to my lips and say shhhh, I am talking to God. The same thing can be done with your bible. Just tell them, I am spending time with God. It takes time to work them, but the rewards are so great. You will be so pleased the first time they tell you to shhh, they are talking to God.

I only have something to say, The devil will find ways to deter you from God's word. You must put God before anyone and anything. So even though you are not a morning person you are giving that time to God and he in turn will give you back something. That is the best time to start with him is first. I would take time to pray and read scriptures early, during naps turn to Bot 91.5 radio and the bible teachings are there to help feed the soul.
By you taking the time for God is an investment into your future and teaching your children the values of a relationship with our Father and the importance of giving him your time that he gave you to begin with.
Go to him in prayer and ask him for his guidance in this. But be prepared to do as he asks of this through his scriptures. If you go to the radio station web site you can email them and they will respond with a christian answer.
God bless and guide you and comfort you.

I belong to a wonderful group at my church called Little Lambs. We meet in the church nursery with our children and we all sit on the floor and one week we have a little bible study story for the kids and they sit in a circle with the Moms and dads and enjoy the story, then snack time and playtime. The next week we have the same circle but its just the moms and dads and we have a mom-based bible study while the kids play around us and then enjoy a snack. Its really a great thing, I think b/c it gives our kids playtime and it gives us moms and dads grown up time plus a bible study all in one. We studied a book called "The Bathtub Is Overflowing but I Feel Drained: How to Defeat Mommy Stress by Lysa TerKeurst" which we all really enjoyed and now we are having our bible studies based on various subjects that relate to parenting and how they relate to the bible, etc. At home I enjoy a book called Little Visits for Toddlers (Little Visits Library) by Mary Manz Simon and Nancy Munger that gives me a short daily devotional for myself and little kid friendly devotional and activity to share with my son. I find a little reading in bed at night before I turn out the light to be very relaxing, and then I think its nice b/c I fall asleep with spiritual thoughts in my head. Maybe check out the churches in your area, perhaps they have an event that works well with your schedule that you could attend once a week or so. Our program is an outreach program so you don't have to be a member of our lutheran church. (I'm in St. Peters) Good luck and I'm sure God doesn;t mind if your having adry spell, he see's you're thinking about it and hey - you are busy! ;o)

A.,
I found a great a book a while back at a Christian book store, can't exactly recall the name of it, but it featured the women of the bible...it was short enough chapters that if you broke it up into depending on how much time you had, a woman a day or even a woman a week that would be a great start = ) Plus there are all sorts of great books that are designed to be daily devotionals ( even some that are just for moms!) I would say you might even be able to find something online...some email you something daily ( free!) and some you have to go to the site daily...I totally understand, sometimes it seems like there are not enough hours in the day...
B.

Hey A.,

It's great that you're heart is seeking God and communion with him. Being a mom to young children can be exhausting and time consuming. I have a baby about the same age as yours as well as two other kids in school. It doesn't get easier! Don't be so hard on yourself. You are in a season now of self sacrifice as you raise a young child. Baby steps.

This year our church challenged us to read through the One Year Bible. It's great because it is broken down into daily readings that take about 15 minutes. Some days I just get through it. Others it amazes me that I saw something in a story that I never saw before. It helps that my husband is reading too. Sometimes we read at the same time and then we can discuss if afterwards if we want. God's word is powerful and full of truths that have changed my perspective on things. I hope you can find the time, but when you can't, just make it up the next day. Kind of like any other disclipine.

Blessings!

Hi A.~
Great ideas so far, right?
My son wakes up at 6:30, but I usually don't get him out until 6:45. Ideally, I set my alarm for 6:10, go potty, then back to bed to read. The night before, I already had my pen, notebook & bible on my nightstand. Husband is still sleeping next to me, but I have a tap light with 3 brightness settings, so I just read right there. Sometimes I read first, others I pray or journal. It just depends on my mood. I do start off with praying that God will make me sensitive to his spirit.
I have found that if I wait until nap time, it doesn't get done b/c there is so much else to do. I have open conversations with God all day.
I always pray with my son (23 mos) before nap & bed times.
One thing I have heard is to set an automatic coffee or tea pot so it's ready to go early in the AM. You could also create a little corner spot with a chair & side table where you always keep your bible.
As far as books, I am always reading about 3 at a time... lol. One short good read is Sign of Life by David Jeremiah. Get short couple's books like Night Light (?) by the Dobson's.
Like someone else said, see ya in heaven!
J.

That's great to hear that you are passionate about this.I was going through the very same thing and I got a book of devotionals at the family book store.I think it's called devotions for busy Moms.Also I don't know if you are interested but I also got a couple of family devotionals that we could all do together.I believe that it is important that we set time aside for God and he knows your heart!God Bless You!

A.,
Thank you, so very much, for your post. You know how God has a plan? Well I have been really struggling with myself. I believe so strongly in God, but I've been lax, not going to church and doing what I need to do. I have been pondering what I really need to do and trying to understand what's been holding me back. I want to get closer to Him, and your post has inspired me and given me a bit of that kick that I really needed. Your "dry" spell has been a blessing to me, how ironic!! LOL The advice you have received has been like a balm to my spirit...ahh the wonders of how He works. He has used your struggles to bring me closer, so thank you again for your post. God Bless you and all that have responded!

Hi, I know this is not exactly what you are looking for, but this is what works for me, but it is hard to explain. Basically I turned all the time into devotional time. OK, I'm not perfect at it, but I just try to get better all the time. I pray all day long with little prayers straight from my heart. I praise Him constantly for my beautiful children; for the opportunity to hug them, comfort them, teach them, for sending a bird we can look at and enjoy together; for a sunset; for the snow; for the rain; to be able to clothe and feed them; for patience when I need it; just everything. Sometimes the prayer is as simple as "thank-you", and sometime much more than that. Before I go to bed each night I make a very simple journal entry, takes no more than 5 mins, and once a month I spend a little more time with special events of the month in a journal I hope to share with the kids some day (that's what motivates me to actually do it). The only book I have time for anymore is the Bible, and if I don't have time for reading a lot, I still read just one paragraph, it keeps me at least in the habit without being overwhelming. Don't worry, the day will come all too soon when the children will be grown and you will have nothing but time. Just trust Him that right now you are where God needs you most, and that means more than all the devotional time in the world.

I am not a Christian, and I don't even know exactly what it is you want to be doing, but I'm sure it is like exercising, spending time with husbands or friends, housecleaning, etc. in that you have to make time for it or it won't happen. It is easy to put things aside when we have kids because they are so demanding, but if this is important to you, you simply need to make the time. Some new books/groups might provide temporary inspiration, but the bottom line is that you need to commit and make it happen. Good luck!

I know you've already gotten plenty of responses, but I wanted to second the opinion that being a wife and mother is, in itself, a series of prayers and devotions, if we allow it to be!
The following is a long, but wonderful quote about the value of a mother's work:

"Babies need not to be taught a trade, but to be introduced to a world. To put the matter shortly, woman is generally shut up in a house with a human being at the time when he asks all the questions that there are, and some that there aren't. It would be odd if she retained any of the narrowness of a specialist. Now if anyone says that this duty of general enlightenment (even when freed from modern rules and hours, and exercised more spontaneously by a more protected person) is in itself too exacting and oppressive, I can understand the view. I can only answer that our race has thought it worth while to cast this burden on women in order to keep common-sense in the world. But when people begin to talk about this domestic duty as not merely difficult but trivial and dreary, I simply give up the question. For I cannot with the utmost energy of imagination conceive what they mean. When domesticity, for instance, is called drudgery, all the difficulty arises from a double meaning in the word. If drudgery only means dreadfully hard work, I admit the woman drudges in the home, as a man might drudge at the Cathedral of Amiens or drudge behind a gun at Trafalgar. But if it means that the hard work is more heavy because it is trifling, colorless and of small import to the soul, then as I say, I give it up; I do not know what the words mean. To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labors and holidays; to be Whiteley within a certain area, providing toys, boots, sheets, cakes, and books; to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness." --G. K. Chesterton

Personally, I cannot often find time for regular daily devotions--with 4 children and a husband, I am "on call" 24/7. I usually say a small prayer before going to sleep and upon waking up, and I make sure my family and I get to church once a week. Other than that, I try to remember to offer to Him the work I do daily--the cooking, the cleaning, the care of the children--and it helps me to do a better job, as well. What better way to praise God than by doing our best at whatever task or vocation He has given us?

I do take time for myself once every couple of weeks or once a month, but it's not less than that--in order to be a good wife and mom, I do need to spiritually "recharge" at least that often! My dh spends that time (about an hour and a half) with the kids, while I go to the church to pray.

Feeling rushed? Set a timer or alarm and then allow yourself to FORGET IT until it goes off (let go and let God). Spend that time focusing on God; if you get distracted, as soon as you realize you've lost focus, just take a deep breath, and get back on track. If the same thought keeps popping up, write it down to get it out of your head and so you won't worry about forgetting it. Give yourself time; you will learn to quiet your mind more easily the more often you do it--but it does take practice!

Everyone has spiritual "dryness" sometimes. But love isn't so much about what we do for others when it's easy; it's about what we are willing to do when it's HARD. It's about sacrificing. That "dry" period is a time to show God we *mean it* when we say we love Him. We can say, "I'll keep praying and striving to be a better person, not because I get something out of it, but because I know it's what You want me to do."

HTH!
God bless,
--A.

As a mother of 7 children, I can say that there are lots of highs and lows, as far as my spiritual walk. But, that is all in my attitude, not by what I do necessarily. There are times where I have been able to get up and read my Bible daily, and then, there was reality of raising and homeschooling this many children. It was probably more of a problem to get those moments in with just one toddler, as there is no one else to help watch the baby if he got up too early. I can tell you the most important thing that I have learned over time. You can worship, pray, and devote yourself to God in many day to day activities. I used to sing while washing dishes. Now, I have a dishwasher. LOL We would put praise music on during chore time with the kids, but then our chore time has been less structured with my 7th's medical needs. We are on the road quite a bit now, as we live in the country and must travel for most everything, so putting on christian music, or praying during the trips, and especially during the long trips works well. If you can get the Bible on Cd or tape, put it in the radio when you get in the car. I have heard of women that feel they should or need to go to woman's bible study, and other church activities to be good christian women, while their kids play or go to the nursery for more hours than any baby should. I don't believe that is what the Lord would have a mother do. You can read Bible stories to your baby, you can sing hymns while you rock him to sleep. Do these things with your child and while you do the humdrum part of life, and this IS devotion. Your attitude towards God is mostly what that is all about, and if you can stick it in where it fits, then you will feel much better about your walk with Him. HTH