Finding time

Finding time for daily devotions . . .
"I don't have time to read the bible or do a devotion, I barely have time to get dressed!"  Ever said those words or some like it?  It's easy for us to get so involved in the world (and worldly things) that we think we can't make time for God.  Spending time in His word, studying it and praying are the most important things we can do all day.  Here are some ideas on fitting time with God into your already busy day (some of these came from Doorposts):

1. Start with small goals (don't endeavor to read a full chapter in a book of the bible, try aiming for just a paragraph or just 5 or 6 verses).  Don't choose a long devotional, pick one that is short, meaningful and workable in 5 min.  Don't have a devotional?  Our Daily Bread (odb.org)offers an emailed or printed copy of their daily devotionals that include a short passage to read from the bible (you can even click to read it on the email version), plus a short devotion.
2. Put everything you need in one place so it's ready to grab when you have 5 min.
3. Where?  Carry a small bible with you to squeeze in a little bible reading anytime you're waiting (in line, waiting to pick someone up (or waiting to be picked up), etc.).  If you ride (instead of drive), that's a perfect time to read, pray, and do a devotional. 
4. When?  Have a little break at work or school, there you go!  Just layed the children down for a nap, there you go!  Waiting for something, there you go!  You get the idea, there are 5 min. increments of time in our day to squeeze in anything.
5. Can you get up 5 min. earlier?  Or, can you take 5 min. before going to bed?  How about honoring good priorities and doing a devotion before checking your email or going online?
6. If you're a busy mama of little ones, how about starting a 30 min. quiet time in the afternoon where they can do anything quiet on their beds (play, read, nap), with no talking?  It might take a bit of time to make it work, but eventually you will all value that special 30 min. of quiet. 
7. If your children are old enough, have them start learning to do a devotion when you do.
8. Pray for wisdom in finding time to devote to God.  He desires that we spend time reading and studying His Word and praying, if we pray for guidance in finding time to do that, He will help us. 
9. Something I heard a while back may help us put perspective in this . . . do you reach for your bible as often as you do your cell phone?  Do you never want to leave home without it (like you do your cell phone or purse)?  Do you spend time in prayer as often as you do on your cell phone?

May the Lord help you find time today and everyday to spend with Him!  "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23 (NASB)

As I write, a commercial airliner has been shot down in the Ukraine, Israel has launched a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, thousands of refugees/illegal immigrant children are pouring into the United States along with a number of undetected illegals who are taking advantage of our currently less-secured border, people around the country are fighting for their "rights" and against laws they say are discriminatory to their alternative lifestyle, our country seems to be upside down in declaring what's wrong as right and what was once known by all to be right is now said to be wrong, . . .  Listening to or reading the news can be depressing or even scary, not knowing what's going to happen next. 

Don't despair, there is hope.  I spent last week as a counselor at a bible camp with no radio, no computer, no internet, no tv, no video games, and no newspapers.  My contact with the outside world was a few text messages relaying prayer requests and one phone call to my husband on his birthday.  We learned about God's creation, we spent time in personal and cabin devotion with our Lord, chapel time, games, hiking, swimming, singing, talking, walking, sharing, praying, . . .  Spending time in God's creation, each responsible for kids we had never met before that week but would have given our life to protect.  We prayed for them, ran with them, shared our lives with them, and took care of them.  Most of all, they learned more about God that week and we learned even more than they did.  Yes, I can put my complete trust in my Lord.  He asked, I was willing, and He sustained me through the week.  I know God planned for me to be at camp this year, He planned for each of the children to be there too.

Yes, the world is in turmoil, seemingly more every day, but we know God is in charge.  Nothing surprises Him, He knows everything about us, everything going on now and everything that will happen for eternity.  Psalm 139:16 says "...and in your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."   God knows what He's doing, He has my life planned out for me, that's a comfort beyond measure.  He allows certain things to happen in this world, we don't always understand why, but we can rest in the assurance that God is in charge.  Our country will continue down this path for as long as the Lord allows, but I am not worried . . . this world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through.