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You want your kids to love the Lord and love His Word. We do too! That's what Kids in the Word is all about, after all. However, we can't teach our kids how to spend time with God if WE don't spend time with God.
Ouch, right?
Do you have difficulty finding time to spend with God? Most parents I know have trouble with it, especially us busy moms. Sometimes there are self-discipline issues to work on, and sometimes there are just seasons of life to accept.
One of the best pieces of advice I have received came from a wiser and more experienced mom. She said to let go of the guilt, and delight in the Lord with my time, seizing creative moments to spend with Him, even if it wasn't in the morning or was anything but quiet.
Over the years, I have found my morning quiet time groove, but have not given up my creative quiet times with God.
Read to the Kids
It won't be perfect, and certainly not quiet, but try reading through your Bible with your kids during mealtimes. Not only are they relatively stationary and occupied, but you will all benefit from hearing the Word read. Need a place to start? Begin simply with a chapter a day in Matthew, and continue from there. Think about and pray on what you have read throughout your day.
Memorize Scriptures
Choose a scripture and begin to memorize it. Recite it and meditate on it as you go through your day, do the chores, and lay down to bed. It doesn't have to be complicated. You can write down your verse on an index card or print a set for your use. Memorizing scripture has been a wonderful way for me to spend time with God when nursing in the middle of the night, when I can't sleep, or when I'm waiting at an appointment.
Put First Things First
If spending time with God in His Word is important to you, then make it a first priority. This can mean first thing in the morning, before school starts, right when you put the kids down for naps, or just after their bed time. Before chores, computer time, or anything else, make it your first priority.
Go on a Date
Make a coffee or lunch date with God. Take your Bible, memory verses, journal, and whatever else you'd like, and just spend time with Him. Going on a walk is also a great way to connect with the Lord and get some exercise at the same time. Choose a verse or a prayer focus during your time, or just enjoy His creation. A prayer walk is also something you can do with your kids!
Use Car Rides
Whether you're going to the grocery store, doing some other errands, or on a road trip, a car ride is perfect for spending time with Jesus. Listen to and sing worship music! You can also use audio recordings of sermons. This is one of my favorite things to do when I make my big monthly grocery trip after the kids have gone to bed.
Focus with Music
Play worship music during the day! Even if you are busy going about what you need to do, catching words of praise and adoration can quickly bring your heart back to God. Another idea is to learn some worship songs and hymns with your kids. My kids and I have been learning “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” together, verse by verse, and it's amazing how often it comes to mind and ministers to my soul.
Play a Video
Sometimes kids' videos can be meaningful to you as well. Try What's in the Bible or Veggie Tales. Some of the older ones we enjoy are The Donut Man, and Hide ‘Em in Your Heart. My husband and I also like to put on more “adult” videos such as The Visual Bible – Matthew or The Gospel of John. When we are having weekend work days, we'll often play them in the background.
Use Anchors
Anchor your quiet time to events that you know will always happen every day. Good anchors are just before breakfast, during nap time, at mealtimes, or when you crawl into bed. Anchoring a moment with God to these times will make it more likely to become a routine. For example, have a recording of scripture being read every time you fold the laundry.
Utilize Technology
Songs and videos can be helpful, but so can other technology such as the YouVersion app and ScriptureTyper. YouVersion has different devotions and reading plans available as well as other study and reading tools. You can also have it read the scripture to you while you work out. ScriptureTyper is an easy and effective way to memorize scripture, with audio, visual, and kinesthetic aspects to the memorization technique. Having these tools available wherever you are can be a huge help in getting a little reading time in!
Take an Annual Retreat
One of my favorite things to do is to take an annual retreat with the Lord. I go to a little guest house owned by a kind lady nearby. Each year I spend the night and a good portion of the next day praying, reading, spending time with God, enjoying His creation, and just… resting in Him. It is one of the most refreshing things I do! In the past I have booked a hotel room as well. Make it happen! Your family will be blessed by it just as much as you will.
What other creative ways can you think of to spend time with God? Make it a priority and find those precious pockets of time. Let your kids catch you in the Word!
