Be Still...

To-Do List:
1) Take suit to dry cleaners
2) Help Billy with his math problems
3) Create lesson plans for the upcoming week
4) Take the cat to vet for vaccination
5) So on, and so on, and so on


Does this look familiar to you?

If you're like me then you are the ultimate list maker. There have been times I've had lists of lists! I kid you not. Lately, there have been more lists than I can think of because I've worried about forgetting something with so much on my plate.

However, the Lord opened my eyes to something missing from each of these to-do lists.

Time with Him.

I'm not talking about spending hours and hours each morning (or even a half hour if you're a mom of young children). I'm talking about just taking a breath and opening your heart and mind to Him and His love throughout the whole day.

It has taken some time, but I've finally learned that when I stop and ask Him what He wants me to do, somehow it all gets accomplished and I feel more peace as I do it.

That small voice will gently nudge me and tell me what is a distraction, what is not going to help me fulfill His purpose in my life that day. He is so good and He does care about us so much if we will but sit and listen.

Having a good block of time to pray and seek God is desirable--for us moms it's just not always possible. We hit the floor running and we don't stop until we fall into bed exhausted because we are playing catch up from our procrastination and distractions. We then realize another day went by without that block of time and we feel bad (self-condemnation) and determine to do it the next day only to repeat the cycle. If you're like me, then you feel like you aren't a "good Christian" if you can't get that solid block of time in your prayer closet.

Last year I was crying out to God, asking Him to show me how to find that block of time in midst of everyday life. I'd like to share a verse laid on my heart that really changed my life and my relationship with God during these precious years...

I Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV) - Pray without ceasing.


While we moms have a hard time being "still", I think a lot of this is to be still in our thoughts and hearts. We can pray while we do the dishes, or even scrub the toilets. A moment of prayer when we toss a load of laundry into the washer. Thank Him when you wipe that little nose or when you have to vacuum up the mess left behind from the art project your child worked on.

There are so many opportunities during the day to seek Him, to praise Him if we but open our eyes. And we will be following Scripture by praying throughout the day, not just once then going on our way.

When we can do this, it strengthens us throughout the day too. We feel that connection no matter what we are doing and have opened the door to allow God into every aspect of our lives, not just the prayer closet. He can show us times to stop and play, times to stop and rest. When we lean on His understanding and not our own there are so many good things we can do that will glorify Him.

We just need to remember, it's not about us--it's about Him.

When we focus on what we did or didn't do--beat ourselves up mentally--then our focus is not on Him. We are thinking about our flesh, instead of sacrificing it to His will. We should all remember that whenever the enemy (or your own mind) falls into the trap of self-condemnation. Stop yourself and let God know that He is more important!

Our prayer life is meant to draw us near to Him. We need to stop beating ourselves up and praise our precious Lord for the opportunity to talk to Him throughout the day and use those moments we can to worship Him for all that He is, was and will ever be!