As a mom it isn't easy to find time for yourself let alone time for God, but is there a way to do both?

Question

So many moms want to still be spiritual but find it so hard to do. What are some ways that you have found time to connect with God; something that is more than just going to Mass or other services.

How do you do it with little children, or school age children when there is so many other things you have do: car pool, help with homework, work, make meals?

Answer 1

you can connect with god while doing dishes,laundry,any household chore,god just wants you to talk to him like he was sitting right there with you

Answer 2

I'm not Christian but I find time for religious practice by including my children and by sacrificing some of my alone time (I actually consider it part of my recharge time so it isn't a sacrifice). It can be hard, but being a parent is a spiritual experience and the work involved is too. Reading to and cuddling with small children is every bit as spiritual as attending a religious service or meditating on the nature of the universe. I try to include my religion in my everyday activities (without indoctrinating my kids though). When I cook, I think about our connection to the universe and the plants and animals that our food used to be.

Answer 3

I will answer as the son of a mother. I know from observation, it is the hardest but most important job in the world and I have faced down dozens of men with guns. I knew I wasn't cut out for wife or kids.

Everything is about priorities. Putting spiritual interests first and filtering everything through that gives kids a balance in family life. Showing kids by example of your life goes further than anything you say.

Have a Bible study with your kids. Let them read aloud after looking up scriptures. Ask them what does it mean? Kids learn to read at a higher level. Learn to talk with an audience. Learn to reason AND be spiritual themselves. This doesn't include the benefits for you. In 3rd grade, I read on a high school level. I'm nothing special.

Carve out the time. Kids can help with work around the house and feel they contribute to the family.

Answer 4

There's clear instruction in the Bible:

1. Read 10 verses from the Bible before you go to sleep at night. Read it aloud. It keeps you awake. Also, Psalms 1: 2,3 tells you the other effect it will have on you when you do this. John 17:3 says it means our very life.

2. Take about 5-10 minutes to meditate and pray to God the way Jesus taught us to pray at Matthew 6:9-10. Ask God to give you clarity on what you've read.

3. Stop trying to be a super mom. Throw your burdens on him and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

4. Simplify your life. Matt 6:22 says to keep your eye simple. Get rid of things that can waste time.

5. Then, further along in verse 33 is says to seek the kingdom first. So, if you want to make your spiritual life work, seek god's kingdom first.

6. Recognize that God knows our limitations. (Psalms 103:14) Your goal is to live up to your end by giving him whole-souled service. Matthew 22:37

7. Try to find out what God requires of you. You find that out from reading the Bible, questioning whether your religion is in harmony with what the Bible teaches and (if not) finding a religion which teaches and practices the truth.

Answer 5

I know what you mean. I am a mother to two wonderful children, but boy they keep my busy and I work a full-time job outside of the home. My kids and I pray together and have nice talks in the vehicle.

But, for my alone time with God. . .I make time. . .time is never going to just pop up for you. . .you have to make it. After I put the kids to bed I study my Bible. . .most of the time I study for around an hour and I pray continuously throughout the day. It is the best me time I could ever have.

It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the responsibilities of being a mother. But, one of our greatest responsibilities as a mother is taking care of ourselves too. . .emotionally, physically and spiritually so that we will feel like giving our best to the kiddos.

Making my alone time with the Lord as a priority . . .strengthens me and renews my spirit. When I have made time for Him I actually seem to get things done better than I would have without Him.

I love hearing from other mothers who deal w/ similar things as I do. I will say a prayer for you today. . .God bless you. :)

And, Happy Mother's Day.

Answer 6

Finding or rather making time to really connect with God is critical for any Mom. A real connection with God can help with the other things we have to do...by giving us extra energy and other resourses when things get tough. Try setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier than you really have to get up to get things started in your home. Use this time to pray or meditate, to connect with God. I've found that helps the rest of the day run smoother.

Answer 7

Listen to Christian radio and music while doing other things. Spend time with you children teaching them about spiritual topics. The best thing you can do is simply pray! You can pray while fixing dinner or just about anything else. Quite time alone with God is important. But there are numerous other opportunities as well.

Answer 8

Who told you--or how is it that you have come to believe that taking care of your children/family is NOT the most spiritual activity that you can engage in--or is NOT the one thing that brings you closer to God than anything else you might chose to do?

I also would think that if you TRULY felt confident in your decisions to take care of your family first--or over your relationship with God, then I think that God would certainly understand--afterall, how much of His time, effort and resources are devoted to His children (us)?

When reading your question, I was impressed that the reason you are asking us, may be due to you are looking more for sympathetic support to justify decisions and behavior; and to assuage the guilt (etc) associated with you not doing what you think you should be doing.

You looking for a 'gold star' (approval) and/or a special dispensation from God and/or us for following through on a decision that you made?

Don't you have to 'plan and prioritize' the 'caretaking tasks' you describe? If you don't take responsibility to 'plan and prioritize' for yourself to do for yourself (and in this case your relationship with God)--who will?

If you believe in what you have decided, then stand by your decision, and quit 'listening' to outside voices which only serve to create guilt.

Instead of asking a bunch of people who probably have the same problems--or worse, why not being by asking God what He thinks about your situation?

I also find it curious that you claim not to have time for God because you are so busy with your family, but yet you seem to have found time to sit down at a computer and take the time to write a question about it--and doubt that this isn't the only thing you spend time doing on the computer either.

If nothing else, you might try spending time simply 'writing a heart-felt message' to God? No, not literally, but just putting down your thoughts (about whatever) to Him, etc.--I mean think about it--how different would that be than 'saying a prayer' to Him or listening to a sermon, etc.? Bet He would appreciate that and even be more willing to help you do whatever it is that you need help in doing?

Regards,

Answer 9

Dear Lady.
As a Muslim i write for you one thing. People must pray God even they are working, traveling, or looking after their children.
If u pray while you are cooking a meal or caring about ur children it's also connection with God. Because God said "You don't have to pray loudly, because I'm near you. God knows and hears everything even you pray in a low voice.

Answer 10

I have a devotional woman's bible that has a reading list that takes about 15-20 mins per day. I set my alarm 30 mins early and the house is quiet. That is my time with God. A friend of mine does hers at night since she is not a morning person.

Answer 11

I'm not Christian either (I'm a shamanic pagan), but I find that a minute here and five minutes there adds up to quite a bit. I may take a second to remind myself of Nature's gifts while slicing an apple for my two-yr-old, and then marvel at how he was born knowing how to eat. Or, I may say a little prayer of thanks, when my son goes down for his nap, for the love that I have for my husband and son. Right after I lay down for bed each night, I take a few minutes to meditate on the beauty of Creation, and to thank the Creators for giving me eyes to see it and a mind to appreciate it. Then I ask the spirits of nature to instill within me awareness of others' suffering and joy, so that I may share the burden of their pain to lighten it, and share the happiness of their good fortune, so that I may multiply it. If I see a traffic accident, homeless person, etc., during the course of my day, I pray for them very briefly, then thank the spirits that it's not me in their place. I talk to people, and when I ask how they're doing, I try to mean it, actually listening to them, and I try not to let "Hi! How are you?" be a mindless ritual.

Everyday life is full of miniature moments of inspiration and tiny miracles. If you open your eyes, heart, and soul to witness them, you will find your life is full of opportunities to nurse your spiritual hunger.