Childlike Faith

Just a little word of encouragement: Many of us moms feel overwhelmed when faced with spiritual matters. Personally, when my pastor talks about the importance of daily fellowship with God and the need for prayer I get a sinking feeling, at first, in my stomach. I immediately think, How am I supposed to do that when I have these kids to take care of? Sure, a pastor can go into his “prayer closet” for hours undisturbed, but a mama; that’s something different.
You see, I have three boys under age 5 and a busy husband. I don’t get personal time. I don’t even go potty alone (I know others of you understand this). It’s not that my kids are undisciplined or that my life is completely out of control. It’s just that with all we have to do and all the questions there are to answer in a day of little boy exploring, my private and/or quiet time just faded away. Besides, to be honest, if I did have even a half-hour to myself I know I’d just take a nap. A nap? What is that? Hmmm, it’s been so long…
Anyway :-), my point is that I have since discovered a beautiful truth that brings freedom to the mama in need of fellowship with her Lord. Our Most Holy God has given us our position. Of course he’s going to equip us and of course he isn’t going to expect more out of us than we can offer. In telling us how to teach our children he said:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-8 NKJV)
If we are supposed to teach our children all day, everyday in all that we do and in all points of real life, then wouldn’t it stand to reason that this would be the way God would teach us? Of course, we still need to pray and seek His will. I do not intend to detract from that. It’s just that we won’t achieve some spiritual pinnacle if we can shut ourselves out from the world and get in 4-5 hours of meditation daily. Not for what we have been called; it just isn’t realistic for a mama to do that. We just need to remember that He is not a God who seeks empty actions. Frustratingly browsing through your Bible scanning verses so that you can say you had devotions that day will not do you any good and it won’t be doing God any favor. He doesn’t want you to read His word for His benefit anyway. He already knows what it says.
Instead, try this. In the morning, maybe at breakfast, sit with your kids and open up to a portion of scripture, maybe even just one verse. Read it like it is written. Then prayerfully “interpret” it for your child(ren). I used to do this when coming up with “sermons” for my Sunday school class and it was my time of greatest revelation of the Word. When you can effectively explain what the Bible is saying to a three or four year old, you all will have gleaned wisdom and will be able to remember what you’ve learned. It will help you to simplify your understanding of God’s Word and help you to live in childlike faith as we were commanded. Besides that, you and your child will be creating memories they will cherish forever.
By the way, this will only be effective if your time is pretty well organized. If you have large gaps in your day that you fill with watching TV or chatting on the phone or complaining about how bored you are, then you already know how to find more time to spend with the Lord. You just need the gumption to get on your knees or pick up your Bible and feed your Spirit. Get up, get motivated, and be blessed!
I also suggest praying in the shower, in vehicles, and while vacuuming; all very opportunistic times when distractions are at a minimum. Give it a shot. What have you got to lose except your excuses! God Bless.
~ Amanda M. Paul