In and out to find pasture

Devotional time? When does this happen? What is “quiet time” to moms of young children? Quiet anything is long forgotten!

First: This is hard. Might as well say it. And it's not because moms don’t want to. We do. And worse, Satan doesn’t want us to. He really doesn’t.

Second: This is possible. And the source of your strength. The Word of God is living and active. God Himself wants to feed you. He says to come and rest. So lay it all down and rest. This is going to look very different than in your pre-kid days. 

So, what are you interested in in Scripture? Women that Jesus changed? Find them. Verses about courage? Look them up. You don’t have to read it in order. You’re resting. Feeding. Knowing. Let your “Bible in a year” or other reading plans have second place to knowing Him and fellowshiping with Him. I find that if I am digging into a question or topic I find time for it easier and refocus on it after interruptions better. 

Struggle to read like I do? I am not a visual person so I listen to the Bible regularly. That’s how it comes to life for me. Normally, I listen best in the shower. Would that work for you? I know you eventually do get to shower. There is something about the thrumming heat and letting the Word pour over your soul as the shower pours over your body. Be washed inside and out. Audio counts, even though He isn’t counting. (Or tapping His shoe in impatience. Remember He’s gentle with you.) I clean my body, He cleans my soul. It is in this way that I get through any reading plans I may have and, if I am honest, avoid using that time to ruminate. 

Some people need to move while they listen for it to soak in. Listen, pray, think, while you walk or do stretches. A prayer walk or run may be a life-giving habit for you. When I am really burdened about something, I “run through it”, inviting Him to jog or walk with me and pouring out all my heartache over it as I go. I find processing it this way - the rhythms of right, left, right, left - deeply healing. I read recently that there is science to back this up - that the right, left motion of walking or running helps the rational parts of our minds process difficult emotions. But my soul knew that before science told me. 

The opposite is true though, running and walking is not just good for pouring out our difficult emotions, it is good for taking in deep truths. Listen to Scripture, theologically rich sermons and hymns as you go. Allow the song or speaker to carry you through the truth and let it plant in your soul as you push a stroller like seeds on a plowed field. 

Others savor best while they’re drawing or painting or creating. Can you make a basket of supplies that allow you to do this that you can move around the house as needed (and keep it all contained away from the kids - shhh - the top of my fridge is holy ground for treats and craft supplies).

Live and breathe the goodness. Make it part of your life. Podcasts, sermons, worship music. I have podcasts I love, and a playlist for peace that I am continually adding to on Spotify. I really struggle with that 4-5pm section of the day when dinner needs to get on the table and everyone is tired and grouchy (including me). I turn on the worship music that moves me (I have a particular playlist). Let the music surround you as you shuffle around tiny people wanting to "help." I have even put the music in my earbuds without noise canceling so I can still interact with my kids. I am more calm and gentle with the girls as He interacts with me gently through the background music as I work. 

Sometimes it’s a moment with your journal when you write down the feathery verse snippet that comes to mind — it’s a treasure from Him and always exactly what you need. Knowing the demands of your life, He is faithful to feed you. 

Or your hands are full and you’re just consciously knowing He is there. "Just you and me, Lord" and sit in silence with Him while you rock that fussy little one or stir the chili. He is at hand. It is truly incredible how willingly and faithfully He will join you in whatever you’re doing. 

Since the kids are usually underfoot, involve them. Read aloud to them - they’ll be squirrelly and inattentive at first, but gradually they’ll grow more interested. Pick a good Bible story book. Ask older moms at your church when they have enjoyed reading to their kids. I can’t tell you how many times this year my husband and I looked up at each other teary-eyed because of the simple beauty of the gospel laid out in our kid’s Bible story book.  

With all these as a backdrop, opening your Bible is not the only crack of light in your day. It’s soul tending that you’re doing, not habit stacking. So when you do sit down in a moment of solitude, (because those moments do come, eventually) your heart is ready to savor. To hunt for beauty and pay attention to what the Spirit wants to show you.

So don’t JUST read your Bible. Whet your appetite for it all day.

Third: Push off the shoulds. “You should read.” “You should pray.” “You should cultivate a relationship with God.” Let them all go. They generate shame and push you from Him. You’re not competing or working for His favor. You have it, so you can rest in it. 

Don’t look at all these practical things and feel you need to incorporate them all at once. Pick one. Work on that for a month or two or six. Work at your own pace and the pace of your children (Genesis 33:14) and not a step further. 

It’s much more like pulling up a chair for a meal than pulling out the vacuum for a chore. He’s the Bread of Life, He says to come and be filled. He will lead you in and out to find pasture. Let Him make sure your belly is full. Satan wants you to feel it's a chore, avoid it, and feel guilty when you do. But Jesus wants you to smell the fresh bread and come running.  

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I’m excited to announce my poetry book will be coming out soon, as well as some Christmas printables. Subscribe for updates and you'll receive the first ten pages of my new book, He Says Come.