My life is pure chaos some days. I’m past the years of dirty diapers and baby’s wails. But with three children in tow at all times I find it increasingly hard in the summer to just be.
To be still enough to hear.
To be quiet enough to understand.
To be soaked up in his love.
To be refreshed in his presence.
Sure, I have several moments each day of solitude but fast forward to 2:00 PM and this momma’s a hot mess. I hear it coming from a mile away. At first it’s just, “Can you please stop banging your fist on the floor?” Then I’m asking, “Can you just please play back in your room?”
Before I know I’m shrieking “If I hear that harmonica one more time…..I’m gonna blow a gasket.”
What??? Where did that come from?
Let me tell you, honey. It was a long time coming.
I’ve tried to establish a set quiet time for my children even at the ages of 12, 10 and 6. This momma needs it no matter how old they are. Having 3 people rely on you, confide in you, tattle to you, question you, say I’m bored to you. Let’s just put it this way. Writing this post is a walk in the park compared to motherhood.
But I knew going into it that it wouldn’t always be easy, right? WRONG.
Who thinks about that when your deciding which baby shoes are the cutest little things ever? Why not waste $15 and put them back on 94 times a day?
Who thinks about that when you are in BABIES R US every week of your pregnancy? You’re dreaming about that cute little crib set and that perfect little swing that will send your baby into screaming fits the moment you place him in it. There goes another $120!
I certainly didn’t.
My children are pretty much my world right now. But they have their place.
My children are #3.
Not #1.
Not #2.
Yes my children are my primary responsibility. Yes they require most of my time. Yes, the parenting woes of tweens require much patience and heart knowledge. Yes the parenting woes of preschoolers require much repetition and energy.
But children should never take the #1.
God is MY #1.
My husband is my #2.
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But take notice to the signs as they’re approaching.
It’s when I notice the pressure and stress rising and the joy is gone.
It’s when I notice the sound of my voice sounds worse than a freight train.
It’s when I notice the energy is gone. And it’s place is harness and
Let’s be honest, as moms isn’t it hard doing the day to day to hear above the noise? It’s possible but not easy.
3 Simple ways to make God a priority and still be the best parent you can be:
1. Make time for Him.
I start out each day hitting the floor. Knees down. Heart to heart. Confessing. Asking. Believing. Seeking.
Crying out for the much needed wisdom and patience that I daily crave.
In addition to the morning quiet I also seek time throughout the day.
If that means a mandatory 45 minutes of quiet time a day I do it.
If that means making them play individually away from me I do it.
If that means asking the husband for a weekend away at a conference I do it.
Find out when you need it most and make it happen.
2. Ask His opinion.
Sure we sometimes need the best advice from a friend or the loving support of a spouse. But who better to ask our biggest questions to.
Am I raising up my children for you? Not to please others or go with the latest fad but to truly be your mirrored image.
Am I giving them individual quality time? Which of my children needs a little extra dose of mom-time today?
Which area of parenting is not going smoothly right now? How can I make our home life flow more efficiently?
God has the answers. More than the popular parenting website. Or the best friend. Or the local mom groups. He knows our heart. He knows our family.
3. Teach by example
What do your children see you do on a regular basis? Is it normal for the kids to see you praying, reading the word, going to church, praising? Or is this a once a week or every now and then occurrence.
If we live our life dutifully in service they are going to notice. They live by what they see.
God’s word even gives us a perfect example in the story of Elijah. 1 Kings 19:11
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Unfortunately in my case God doesn’t usually speak during the chaos. Usually it’s in the stillness and the quiet.
So I’m making more of an effort to create:
Time of reflection.
Zero zones.
God is my FIRST. Who is yours?
Blessings,
Melanie
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
Melanie – just last week a friend of mine and I were talking about just being quiet and hearing God breathe in – the timing of your post is so not a coincidence – it’s a beautiful thing how He works!
My daughter is 15 now and I still find myself echoing similar questions in my quiet time.
Awesome Post!
Melanie says
Thanks Shashi! So glad this goes along with what your already working on.
Thanks for being here. 🙂
Donna says
Wow Mel! Thanks for this!!
Melanie says
You’re welcome. 🙂 So glad you stopped by.
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
Melanie, I do enjoy your words of encouragement and that fact that you’re sharing God’s love over this vast vehicle called the internet. 🙂 God is good all the time…
Melanie says
Aww. Thanks Norma. Your kind words mean SO much!
normaleverydaylife says
Great post! I think rest time is mandatory for everyone until kids leave home! Only half kidding…I always tell my kids I need some time alone in the afternoon. Great tips and a great reminder that God does need to be first. Thanks for linking up to Motivational Monday!
Melanie says
I know. Definitely mandatory. Thanks for stopping by!