In my experience, moms (and dads) have very little time to themselves. With the responsibilities of working, child care, home maintenance, exercising, etc., finding time to just be seems impossible. Add on the feeling that as Christians we are supposed to read the Bible daily, and the guilt can become overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be that way. For me, starting the day with a daily devotional has made a big difference. I no longer feel guilty that I’m not taking time to learn more about God’s Word. I start my day with quiet reading, reflection, and prayer. This “downtime” is something that grounds me and helps to begin my day on a positive note.
How to Find Time for a Daily Devotional:
For me, it works best to get ready for work (shower, dress, get the kids up) and then read for 10-15 minutes while my kids are getting breakfast and making their lunches. Note: I do not fix my kids’ breakfasts nor do I pack their lunches. This is their responsibility. They must pack a protein, fruit, and vegetable in their lunch every day. I’ve modeled this for them, always provide the cut up veggies, and answer questions when necessary. Giving my kids the freedom to choose what they eat for breakfast and lunch gives me time for a daily devotional. I then have breakfast and finish getting ready for work. 🙂
#1: Choosing the “Right” Daily Devotional
What is “right” for me may not be “right” for you. I really like Dr. Charles Stanley’s Bible Reading Plan. It has allowed me to read the Bible through, in its entirety, over the course of a year. Plus, the resource is free and can be found on Dr. Stanley’s website here. This daily devotional has four readings each day and covers the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and the New Testament. At first I thought this would be confusing, as I am a very chronological person, but I have enjoyed seeing how the scriptures fit together by reading from both ends of the Bible daily. Note: For this devotional you’ll need your own Bible. I would recommend a study Bible, as I really like the notes that go with many of the verses. I have both The NIV Study Bible and The King James Study Bible and find each very user-friendly.
#2: Choose the Time
Making something a habit means that you must schedule time for it to happen. For a daily devotional, consider what time of the day will allow you the most quiet, uninterrupted time. I used to jump out of bed, exercise, run to the shower, get ready for work, and dash out the door. It was too rush, rush, rush. I’d get to my classroom exhausted and stressed and it was only 7:00 a.m.! Since moving to the slower morning schedule, I am better able to focus on my readings. I still arrive at work by 7:00, but I exercise after work and have cut back on my workout schedule a bit. This tiny simplification in my schedule has given me quiet time for focus on what is really important in my life.
#3: Baby Steps
Starting a daily devotional doesn’t mean you have to jump into spending 30 minutes every day reading the Word. Though that is an honorable goal, changing routines takes time. A perfect beginning reading is Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence. The readings are quick, meaningful, and thought-provoking. Whatever you choose to read, make it something that you can grow upon. We learn most through our little steps, not necessarily our big leaps.
#4: Join a Group
For some, being a part of a group can help with the motivation needed to read God’s Word daily. Joining a Bible Study, church small group, or Sunday School class is a wonderful way to connect with others and grow through Christ. Everyone is at a different place in their faith journey. Learning from others allows us to experience faith in a different light, often causing us to want to learn more and thus read the Bible more. That desire to know God more intimately is central to making time for a daily devotional.
#5: Daily Devotionals and Traveling
My daily Bible Reading Plan has become such a part of my routine I miss it if I don’t do it. The little bit of time where I can sit and enjoy my hot coffee and read my daily devotion is a highlight of my day–it calms me. On vacation and weekends, I can generally sit a lot longer and enjoy a slower start to our adventures. When we travel, I pack the Bible Reading Plan but use a Bible app on my phone for the verses. It is much more convenient (and lighter) than my regular Bible. There are many free Bible apps available–choose one that you like and find easy to navigate. It might take several tries to find the right one. My choice is the NIV 50th anniversary edition.
Please know I am in no way an expert in the area of daily devotionals. This is only my experience and the journey that I’m walking to better myself. Hopefully, some of my words will inspire you in some small way over the coming months to begin your own journey.
I wish you a year of blessings as we approach the New Year. The fresh start, new adventures, and hope that comes with the start of each year is a great time to begin walking more closely with God’s plan for your life. Try finding time for a daily devotional and see how God will work within you over the next 365 days. We can all carve out a few minutes each day for God. The question is: Will we take the time?