Whatever happened to early morning quiet time? Oh, I remember. I had children.
“Momma? Can I get up now?”
I pried open one bloodshot eye and cocked my head toward the clock. 4:39 a.m.
“No, baby girl,” I croaked, “it’s not morning yet.” My toddler stood at my bedside, clutching her pillow and an armful of stuffed animals.
“But Moooooom! I’m all done sleeping. I want to get up!”
“Come snuggle with me. Mommy’s tired.” Desperate, I lifted her warm body onto the mattress and tucked her pillow between her dad’s and mine. She settled under the covers and stared at me nose-to-nose. My eyelids slid shut.
“Mommy!” she hissed.
Sorry, I’m sleeping.
“Moooommyyyy!” She whispered louder. I rolled away and buried my face.
“Mommy!” Her finger jabbed my shoulder. “I want to get up!”
On the other side of the bed, my husband shifted and sighed. I assessed the options. If our human alarm clock stays here, she’ll wake her dad. If I make her go back to her own bed, she’ll wake her sister. Call me a martyr or a pushover—I opted for peace.
“Fine, let’s get up.”
“Oh, thanks, Momma! Will you take my pillow please? And can I have some milk and a muffin, too?” She began rattling requests as we pattered down the hall.
Yep, I’m your mom and I love you. Let the race begin.
Waffles, carpool, phone calls, e-mails, deadlines, library, laundry, potty training, piano, homework, cooking, dishes, tantrums, hugs, bath, bedtime prayers, goodnight kisses, listen. . . for. . . quiet.
What fills your day?
A year or two ago, each night when the kids were finally in bed, I’d wilt into an armchair in the family room. My handsome man would appear through the fog, presumably expecting either sex or popcorn. I’d buy some time and suggest we watch Cupcake Wars. Then it would hit me.
Noooooooooo! I haven’t touched my Bible today! How could I let that slide again?! My exhausted brain wrestled with how to spend those precious 30 minutes of “me” time. Bible, TV. Bible, TV. I’m ashamed to admit it wasn’t an automatic decision.
Has that ever happened to you? We’re all busy. The demands of family and work and life command every minute of the day—and every ounce of energy we can muster. Sadly, it’s easy to crowd God out of the calendar.
As if he’s just another item on the to-do list.
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing,” (John 15:4–8).
Did you catch that? Apart from me you can do nothing. All our housekeeping, child rearing, errands, work—it amounts to zero without Jesus. He’s our sustenance. When we let ourselves slip out of the vine, we become withered branches, useless and barren. No wonder we’re drained.
I know what I’m supposed to do about it. Choose a portion of the day and set it aside for God—the coveted “quiet time,” which for many women is at the crack of dawn because that’s the only peaceful hour in the house. I’ve done that, and it’s an excellent discipline.
But will you think me less spiritual if I dare to voice an ugly fact? During certain seasons of life, a solid block of quiet is crazy impossible to carve. Ask any woman who’s jolted awake three times a night by a hungry baby—5 a.m. isn’t quiet time, it’s the shift change.
Out of necessity, I’ve learned instead to invite God into my not-so-quiet day.
It’s not pretty, but it works. I start each morning acknowledging God, praying while I stretch my aching limbs out of bed. Lord, thank you for another day with my children. Help me to honor you with the way I treat my family today. Then I crack open my Bible while the kids play at my feet. I read it while I sit on my daughter’s bed as she drifts off to nap. I sneak a few verses from Proverbs while the family watches Tangled on TV. I tell Bible stories to my kids at bedtime. I talk to and about Jesus in daily conversation, keeping him close to my heart as I go about the responsibilities he gave me.
Maybe it’s not ideal, the constant activity, the noise. It’s like inviting God for coffee at McDonald’s Playland. But it’s time with God nonetheless.
Besides, imagine if we moms reserved all our time with God for the moments when our kids are sleeping or absent. They’d never get to see our faith relationship in action. When I read my Bible in front of my children, when I pray with them, when I point to God in ordinary scenery, I’m remaining in the vine—and I’m teaching my kids that God is top priority.
Last night, after the girls were in bed, I sank into my trusty family room chair. Moments later a button nose poked around the sofa.
“Hi, Momma. Will you rub my back a little bit?” Apparently, the bedtime ritual wasn’t quite over yet. I wiggled eyebrows at my husband.
Good thing we didn’t pop that popcorn, eh, babe?
I lifted my daughter onto my lap for a hug, then laced her fingers in mine and led her back to her room. Mom duty is never really on a break. But I can keep going strong—with God, my vine.
If this post encouraged you, please pass it on. You might also like How a Wiggles Movie Changed My Life, I Should (Not) Do That, and When You Wake Up With a Foot in Your Face.
Linking up with: The Better Mom, Playdates With God, The Mom Initiative, Titus 2sdays, Grace at Home, Women Living Well, Rethinking My Thinking, What He’s Done Wednesday, Wedded Wednesday, and Things I Can’t Say.
Thank-you so much for this encouraging, very relevant post! I thoroughly enjoy your blog and find so much inspiration in your insightful posts. Thank-you for sharing the lessons you learn through your gift of writing! May God bless you richly for your vulnerability and taking the time to encourage us other moms.
Thank you, Becca! Your comment really blesses me today.
Oh, Becky, YES, I feel your pull- and applaud your response to this season of momhood. I’ve got 4 AM risers, too. And 11PM studiers who need help reviewing for that test or editing that paper… it took me until baby number five to realize that “quiet time” would never be quiet in this season, but God hovers in the noise, too. Love the way He enters into our chaos if we just invite Him too. Thanks for this practical and encouraging reminder. Keep hanging onto that vine, friend. He is indeed flowing through YOU.
So how about a Skype date at, oh, say, 4:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, Alicia? I won’t comb my hair if you don’t comb yours. 🙂 Love your encouraging comments of solidarity, my friend. Although I do NOT love knowing you aren’t getting any sleep! Boo hoo!
I love how you work God into your day despite the noise. Beautiful post! So encouraging for mommies and non-mommies alike.
Thank you for reading, Lyli!
{Melinda} Oh, I remember those days! My kids are teens now and less physically needy, but the schedule is still crazy. I used to think I had to do an hour QT or it didn’t count. But now I just make time — even if it’s less than I’d like — to connect with Him early in the day. It really does make all the difference. Such a great post.
Visiting from the TMI Linkup1
Thanks for visiting, Melinda!
I love this! Lately I’ve been reading scriptures on my ipad, but then I realize that for all my kids know, I’m scrolling instragram or patrolling pinterest. I want them to see me read the regular, heavy Bible and to hear me talk about the stories regularly. Especially right now, while my four-year-old is so interested. Thanks for the nudge!
Have I ever told you about the time I scolded my husband for spending so much time on his iPad? Turns out he was reading his BIBLE on his iPad…oops! Bad wifey. Enjoy that old-fashioned book, Erica! I do still love mine.
were you in my house today?? cause its like you wrote a synopsis of what happened! thank you for sharing that I am not alone.
dropping in from Mom’s Intiative
Jeanie (Life in my rubber boots)
And thank you for helping me to see I’m not alone, either, Jeanie!
I LOVE this! The only way is to, as you say, “invite God into your not-so-quiet” day. He’s really real to us and our kids when He’s really PART of the day — no matter what kind of day it is. Thanks!
Yes! And you know what? I think it’s not just seasons of unrest, but God wants us to invite Him into each moment of every day–not just a certain chunk of time. Thanks for illustrating this so perfectly, Becky.
You’re speaking to a very difficult season in a woman’s (mother’s) life, Becky and I’m so glad you are! I hope that you and others don’t feel guilty for not having that consistent “quiet time” with God when those of us with older kids can. Believe me, I’ve been there and know just how very hard it is. I think you are learning the lesson of worship in the moment, that those of us who consistently have our standard quiet times often miss. Thanks so much for encouraging us with your relevant truths planted firmly in the rocky, messy soil of motherhood!
Now that I’ve become Gramma, I have many more opportunities for quiet time. While I enjoy that quiet time, part of me misses the lovely, chaotic time with my children. Congratulations for finding time for God in the middle of busyness and finding the time to write this excellent post!
<3 I love it when God speaks through convergence. My kids are 9 and 7, so they can read a clock... but my mommy guilt about not getting more detailed time in the word has been hounding me all year. I've been writing a series of devos (or something) about my word of the year "Abide" I love how you used "my" verse. THANK YOU! lovely!
Oh, I get that rush so much. Go, go, go, take care of the kids, the house, everyone and everything. Until we neglect the things we most need to do.
SO TRUE! That it is all useless, impossible, frustrating without him. WHY do we leave Him out so often? Even with all my creative attempts to pack Him in as I go I still find time to “set aside” for MY STUFF! Ick! it’s gross, huh?!
I learned years ago that inorder for my day to roll on wheels instead of blocks -I needed to begin with Him. I don’t always get all the time I’d like alone and quiet, but am thankful for the ways He provision always shows up
Blessings
http://bit.ly/WtWY60
Hi! I loved your post……I actually found your blog while googling “devotionals for busy moms” 🙂 I too am missing my quiet time…..with a 19 month old its hard to have any time to yourself. Looking forward to reading your posts…..and trying to find ways to bring God into each day. My daughter loves to read books, so I am looking online now about purchasing a toddler friendly bible. (that way we both will be in His word daily)
Hi, Melissa! Thank you so much for finding me here and taking a few minutes to read. I’m so glad this devotion encouraged you. My bookshelf has many toddler-friendly Bible storybooks. I can relate well!
I am in awe of all you Christian moms in the States! I have to confess we have it easy in the Philippines. We have helpers to do almost everything at home. I have one son and he’s 18 now. Quiet time is no problem for me now, nor was it when he was a baby. I wake up at about 4 am and start reading the Bible and painting the bible verse. He really is the Vine and I connect with Him everyday. This is what I’ve learned to do ever since I was young.reading your post I am grateful for the time and should not take it for granted! Patsy