Power of Moms is a website for mothers of all religious preferences. Our Spiritual Sundays section is a place where our authors can write about thoughts that are more spiritual in nature, and our goal is to gather a wide variety of perspectives. If you (or someone you know) has something to add to this section to help us reach a wider audience of mothers, please send the submission to [email protected]. Thank you.
With all your holiday to-dos, have you made time and space for what’s most important? Those few, sweet moments of quiet and calm that let busy moms care for those around us?
As the Christian seasons of Advent and Christmas are right around the corner, here are 4 simple ideas to make time for Scripture during this festive, full, and sometimes frantic season of our lives as mothers.
1) Go get your Bible and set it in the kitchen.
Not some beautiful corner in your house where you aspire to sit and read (which may never have happened since your first child arrived).
Not your bedside nightstand, where you already have a stack of good-intention reads that lull you to sleep.
But the kitchen. The place you know you must be.
Because you notice things in the kitchen. Permission slips, sports schedules, shopping lists, party invitations. And if the Bible is open on the counter, you’ll notice it there, too. You’ll find yourself stopping for a second – even in the midst of chaos.
And when you glance down to take a minute to read something beautiful and true, you’ll remember the strength and comfort that comes from God’s Word.
2) Stick Scripture verses where you can’t miss them.
Write down the verses you want to learn on a post-it and put it on the bathroom mirror.
Because the bathroom is another place you have to be. Everyone—even moms of newborns—must use the bathroom eventually! When you see the verses and say them aloud, let yourself embrace a fleeting moment of peace. (Even while the toddler unrolls the toilet paper into the just-flushed toilet.)
Another easy idea? Scribble yourself a note and stick it in your purse or pocket where you’ll pull it out a few times a day. Let yourself be surprised by God’s Word when you need it most.
3) Use the technology at your fingertips.
If you have a smart-phone with the voice memo feature, record yourself reading the verse(s) you want to reflect on each day. Listen to it instead of checking social media for the zillionth time today.
Download a Bible app for on-the-go reading. Share a favorite verse or quote on Facebook or Twitter. Text a girlfriend to help motivate each other as you try to make space for prayer each day.
Instead of constantly fighting the battle with technology in everyday life, use the devices in your hands for good! Let them lead you to moments of calm and gratitude as you connect with God.
4) Ask your family for help.
You’re constantly coaching, correcting, and comforting your kids, right? Now can be their chance to help you in turn!
Tell your kids that you’re trying to make more space for Scripture in your life. Tell them that’s why the Bible is sitting on the kitchen counter. Tell them you want to grow in a love of God and His Word, even when life seems busier than ever.
Ask your kids to remind you to pick up your Bible and read it. Flip the pages with them at your side. Find the Christmas story and snuggle up to read it together.
Ask your husband for encouragement or reminders to read Scripture daily. Accountability helps whenever you’re trying to set a new habit (just think how hard it is to bail on the gym when you know a friend is waiting there for you). So having your spouse ask you how things are going at the end of each day can be a great reminder to follow through on good intentions.
If your spouse and you aren’t on the same page spiritually, don’t stress. This could be an opening to show him how you’re committed to growing in an area that’s important to you. And aren’t our marriages and families strengthened when we each share about what matters most to us?
No matter what, make sure you carve out a little quiet time in the next month for you—to pray and reflect during this busy, beautiful season. You’ll bring your best self to your family and all your celebrations when you feed your own soul, too!
If you’d like to make more space for Scripture in your busy life, check out the seasonal e-book study for moms: Waiting in the Word: A Mother’s Advent Journey! Personal reflections and daily Scripture verses help you reflect on common challenges we face as mothers—and how we can move towards deeper joy with God’s grace. Written by three moms, Waiting in the Word is the perfect, peaceful guide for your December.
Click here for the Mother’s Bundle including the Advent Scripture Study, the companion journal, and a free bookmark to walk you through simple steps of reflecting on Scripture each day.
Edited by Rachel Nielson.
Image compiled by Julie Finlayson. Book image from FreeDigitalPhotos/lekkyjustdoit.
So glad you shared this!
Thank you for your suggestions! Excellent article and reminder to make scripture a central part of our lives!