A single day holds a lot of time: 24 hours. 1,440 minutes. 86,400 seconds. Yet, how many of us wish for more time at the end of a day? We as a people feel so busy—overwhelmed by our lengthy and never-ending to-do lists.
One has only to look at the vast options of daily planners and calendars to understand that we are active people! And don’t get me wrong; I love my planner. She makes me so happy.
HOWEVER, IT HAS BECOME ENTIRELY TOO EASY TO FALL INTO A RHYTHM OF RUSH.
A habit perpetuated and endorsed by a culture that encourages us to do more.
When I was a child, Sunday was a sacred day. Stores were closed. Phone solicitors did not call. Sports were not scheduled. Sunday was a day for church and family.
In our pursuit to accomplish more, we as a society have adapted to a new normal. We have lost our sense of stillness, because we simply don’t have time.
OR RATHER WE DON’T MAKE TIME.
I am so guilty of this, friends. As we begin another year of school, my calendar begins to fill quickly, some activities overlapping others. Now there is a sense of order that comes with being organized, and I do find solace in the structure and routine that the start of school brings.
However, these oh, so important activities, duties, and responsibilities crowd my schedule so that I just can’t seem to do all I want or even need to do. Do you ever feel this way?
No matter what fills your days and list of priorities, each of us can relate to feeling overwhelmed by our seemingly never-ending rhythm of rush. When hectic schedules threaten to overtake us, what do you sacrifice in order to free up more time?
For me, my quiet time is the first to go. Second behind that is typically what we call family giggle time. It’s not that we don’t want it or even need it. There’s just simply no time. There’s work to be done. Obligations to fulfill.
Well, no more.
IT’S TIME TO RECALIBRATE OUR PRIORITIES.
We are the image bearers of God. What this means is that human beings reflect God in a way that is unlike any other part of his creation. Although man was formed from the dust of the ground, God personally “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7).
At the very heart of who we are, we crave community and connectedness—first with God and then with each other. The enemy is clever and crafty, and his primary mission is to separate us from God. One very effective way he does this is through our time.
I long to spend time in God’s Word, but I also want to delve into the Word with my daughters. I don’t want to use the “I don’t have time” excuse anymore. I don’t want to my girls to be experts in the ways of the world. I want them to worship the ways of the Lord.
So here are three ways we are prioritizing our time to do just that.
- WE PLAN FOR TIME FOR GOD AND ONE ANOTHER.
The Bible reveals a God who is a Planner. This makes me smile, as you’ll recall this mama loves her planner. Scripture time with my girls is on my calendar along with regular Bible study.
If it’s helpful to you, add spending time with your daughter in the Word to your list of priorities. One of our greatest opportunities as parents is to model faith for our children.
Mamas, I am so not in the business of adding things to your long list of to do’s. Nor am I pointing my finger and tapping my toe as I spout what you should be doing.
Yes, our lives our busy, but God reveals to us what is truly most important. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
- WE MAKE THAT TIME SACRED.
Our priorities become more real when we write them down as goals and rank them in order of importance. The pull of email, social media and other time vacuums are set aside as my girls and I focus on God’s Word and one another…and nothing else during the time we have scheduled for ourselves.
CARVE OUT A SPECIAL TIME JUST FOR YOU AND YOUR GIRL AND KEEP IT.
You won’t regret it. Promise.
- WE ARE CONSISTENT.
Though God is not controlled by time the way people are, He still puts great emphasis on it. He tells us to count our days—to recognize how short life is and how precious every day is.
The busier I am?
The more stressed I am?
The more tired I am?
The more I need the Word of God to sustain me, and how important is it to show my daughters that this is a need only God can fulfill! The most important gift we can give our children is a legacy of faith, and this is a gift given through the consistency of prayer and time together in God’s Word.
A gift that never goes out of style. Never fades or breaks. Never lets us down. A legacy of faith as timeless as our Creator.
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).
So fellow busy mama, if you’re struggling to find the time to read your Bible and spend time with your mini me’s in God’s Word, I hope this encourages you.
Also, if you are looking for extra tools to guide you during your study time with your daughters, I encourage you to check out Becoming a Girl of Grace and Building Circles of Grace, two studies intentionally written for moms and tween girls to experience God’s Word together. My prayer for each mom and daughter who work through the pages of these book is that their hearts knit closer to one another, building a deeper, more meaningful relationship with one another and God.
