I've been there, or maybe it would be more accurate to say I am there now. The mommy who is up in the night with a sick child, wakened early by the early rising child, busy all day with the education and care of children, husband, and home. Not to mention other co-op, play group, work or church responsibilities.
You are so busy. You teach them the Bible, but who teaches you?
You arrive to church on Sunday to serve in the nursery or teach Sunday School. Your soul anticipates being fed from the Word in the next hour, only to be kept from the service by a sick, crying, or nursing child. You wonder if it's even worth coming. You wonder “When am I ever going to be fed?”
Friend, you are not alone.
Many a Christian mother has felt as you do now, and has seen God bring her through this season. In Psalm 81:10 God says to you, his child
I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
God reminds his child WHO he is, WHAT he has done in the past, and then PROMISES to provide for their future. What comfort!
Here are seven ways the Lord has taught me to creatively seek to be filled by him in the hungry seasons. Ways God has filled and refreshed my mommy soul when it seemed I was not getting enough from the traditional methods.
- Audio Bible – We have a copy of the Bible on audio, and I listen to it whenever I can, while doing dishes, while nursing a child… When I had an ipod, I could easily accomplish housecleaning tasks with the earphones in. (You can listen for free on Gateway Bible.)
- Sermon Audio – Sermonaudio.com as well as other preacher websites (and CDs from church libraries) have afforded many a non-Sunday sermon to my hungry mommy soul. The nice thing is, if the baby gets fussy, or someone needs a snack, you can pause it and come back later, never missing a word!
- Sacred Music – When I am tempted to begin a pity party (for whatever reason) if I will turn on music that praises my Lord and reminds me of his attributes and character, inevitably I find my soul refreshed. God-honoring music can give soul-food by changing my focus from myself to him! And that's where it should be!
- Audio Books – Like the audio Bible or sermons, I can often listen to a book, when I might never have time to read it. I love filling my mind with God honoring literature that instructs and challenges me in my spiritual walk.
- Journibles – In the last year, I have found and greatly enjoyed Journaling Scripture. Working my way through the Bible verse by verse, book by book. Some days I may only have enough uninterrupted time to record one verse, other days I get to transcribe several chapters, but each time it is joy. Something about reading and writing the Word helps it stick with me longer throughout the day.
- One Verse a Day – As all busy mommas know, rising early to sit quietly with a cup of coffee and spend hours in the Word just doesn't happen very often in certain seasons of life. Don't despair. One verse can take you through the day. I keep a bookmark in my Bible and come back and re-read it as often as I need to keep it at the forefront of my thoughts. His Word is living and can give life to your day!
- Tokens of His Love – I love to expect to see God's special demonstrations of his love for me throughout the day (Read my full post about this here). Looking for tokens of his love builds expectation and allows me to see more of my day through the lens of his sovereignty and great love. Filling my emptiness with him.
You may also be interested in my best selling devotional Putting On the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms.
Shared with: Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings, Mama Moments Monday and
What are some of the ways you find spiritual refreshment in the lean seasons of motherhood?
Praying you find refreshment today!
Love,
future.flying.saucers says
I LOVE the idea of journaling scripture. I may start that. Stopping by from the UBP party! Have a GREAT weekend.
Katie H. says
I do really enjoy the journaling of Scripture. I often get it out during my 5 and 7 year old’s handwriting time. They think it’s neat that Mommy has Handwriting assignments too, and I get the double blessing of enjoying an activity with my kids and the nourishment of a few moments in the Word. I definitely recommend it!
Amber (Classic Housewife/Mommy Time Party) says
This is a great list! I have been there, too, and I’ve used many of the same things to meet God in bits and pieces throughout the day. I haven’t seen the Journibles before – that’s pretty cool!