Life is often overwhelming. I get caught up in my to-do list, making dinner, getting grocery shopping done, etc. Then I’ll look up and realize that my faith has taken a backseat. From talking with other women, I know I’m not alone in this problem. But even with an overwhelmingly busy life, I’ve found how to find time for God.
I know I’m not alone in this issue. So I thought I’d share the top 9 ways I’ve found to spend some time with God even when it feels like I don’t have any time.
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Take everyday tasks and dedicate them to God...
There are a couple of ways to dedicate everyday tasks to God.
One is to make a point of being thankful even while doing tasks that seem tedious or annoying. For example, while folding laundry, I compare my life to what it was like 100 years ago. Back then, I wouldn’t have had nearly as much clothes, let alone of such quality. And washing clothes would have been a day-long task that involved hand-washing every piece of clothing. I’m actually blessed to have to worry about an over-flowing laundry basket. And blessed to have appliances that do 95% of the work for me!
Thank God for the plenty that so many of us are surrounded by. My body is strong and I don’t have any illnesses; it’s an easy task to fold laundry. Others live in pain everyday or are unable to complete such a simple task. You can take any household chore and find reasons to be thankful.
The second way to dedicate the task to God is to take everyday tasks and turn them into a loving gesture for those in your life. I love my husband. I hate doing the laundry. You can tell because I’ve used it as my example for a tedious, boring, endless task twice now! haha. However…folding the laundry makes his life easier (because he’s amazing and actually will fold the laundry if I don’t). For some reason, it makes this thankless chore seem a little better. Take a household chore and turn it into an act of love for those in your life.
Read the Scriptures...
Even if you don’t have time to read a lot or go deep into it by journaling, take time to read a single chapter. Read it. Close your eyes and imagine yourself there, as one of the people or observing the scene. What speaks to you? How can you apply it to your daily life? A single chapter doesn’t take long, but it keeps you in the right mind-set: of putting God first.
Think about getting the Bible on your iPad or tablet if you don’t have time to grab the real Bible. Make sure you slow down and read…being on an e-device causes you to tend to skim and skip like we do with Facebook feeds and news stories.
Or dedicate yourself to reading the entire Bible this year. This year, I’m using The Coming Home Networks’ Bible Guide. I’m loving it because it doesn’t go straight through. You read some of the Old Testament and New Testament at the same time.
Consider keeping a Bible in the car if you spend a lot of time waiting in the car for kids.
Make Church a priority...
I’m guilty of this one. I love to sleep in. But my entire week is better when I take the time to go to Church. I’m going to be a little bit harsh (with both myself and you)…if I have time to waste an hour on Facebook a week, then I have time to make it to Church.
A wonderful thing started happening a few months ago. Before, Church was tedious. Seriously. It was something I felt obligated to do. I didn’t enjoy it. I once read “people are rushing to get to heaven to praise God all day, but don’t go to Church.” And I was horrified…I couldn’t imagine heaven being endless Church service.
But God touched me a few months ago. Now Church is actually enjoyable. I feel the music when we sing. The sermons seem to touch me. However…I still admit that getting out of bed is a challenge. But make it a priority.
Take 5 minutes in the morning...
Spend five minutes in the morning. Hide in the bathroom if you have to. If you can’t find five minutes, spend one minute praying.
I take the five minutes and read “In Conversations with God.” Note that this follows the cycle of Advent, Easter, and the rest of the year as “Ordinary Weeks” as celebrated by the Catholic Church. But you can ignore the order and read the devotions in order. There are THREE devotions for every single day. So I can read this for three years straight and not read the same thing. That’s why I made the investment in it.
But you don’t need to get a devotional. Just spend 5 minutes talking to God. Or in silence thinking about God. Doing this in the morning starts your day off on the right foot.
Pray as you fall asleep...
I used to feel guilty saying my rosary when I lay down to bed at night. Because I inevitably fell asleep somewhere around the second decade. I thought maybe this wasn’t loving or was disrespectful to God. Then someone at a retreat said something beautiful to me: “If you fall asleep while saying the rosary, the angels in heaven will finish it.” Now, that’s probably poetic-fancy…but it made me realize that falling asleep while thinking of the Lord wasn’t disrespectful.
If you’re not Catholic, you can still pray while resting. Go through your prayer list…think of individuals one by one and pray something specific for them. If you run out of friends and family, start in on neighbors and co-workers. Even people you don’t like!
I know you have time for this…because you fall asleep every night!
Read ABOUT religion...
I LOVE to read. It’s my go-to relaxation. And reading non-fiction books about religion is another way to keep my mind focused on God. Some of my favorites are below:
Find a religious podcast...
There are a TON of religious podcasts out there. Find one you like/agree with and listen to it while you cook or while you’re driving from place to place. Or while you’re working out.
Scripture around the house...
My mother-in-law (love you, Mary Ann!) gave me a beautiful canvas that has a Bible verse on it. I find myself reading it often. Surround yourself with God’s word.
Express your Christian attitude in everyday life...
Last, but certainly not least, examine your behavior everyday. Are you acting as a Christian should? Are you living the example?
The best way to spend time with God is to be the person God would want you to be. Take a moment and help someone. Speak with kindness and love. Do to the “least of your brothers” as you ought.
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