"I have come to believe that the success or failure of any woman who hopes to build her children into a godly legacy depends to a great degree on whether or not she is spending time in the presence of the Lord and filling her mind with His word." -Sally Clarkson, The Mom Walk
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Desiring to secure the hearts of our children with a love for God, often we try to teach them what is right, correct their attitudes, and often become frustrated with their immaturity, and so in our exhaustion, point out faults to our immature children.
We strive to be women of godly ideals, but tend to fall short and overwhelm ourselves with the mundane, ordinary day "have-tos."
Yet, we cannot show our children the excellencies of God's character if we have not invested time in His presence. We become like the ones we spend time with! --And so if we never make time to cultivate a deep love, a fresh worship, a spontaneous conversation with our dear Father, then we will not be living from His Spirit's truth, wisdom, and grace.
Spending time in God's word is essential to our restoration as mothers. Without God's word, what voices are filling our minds, hearts, and souls?
In the midst of busy, hectic schedules, it can be extremely difficult to make time for His word. We must be intentional and prioritize this necessary peace. Today, I am going to share three ideas with you on how we can not only pencil in and squeeze in our time with God, but full benefit from His amazing word.
1. Get an accountability partner.
Some of us need that extra push and reminder so that we don't forget to spend time in His word. Talk to your best girlfriend about holding each other accountable for your time in scripture. Call each other, or email, weekly to check in and remind each other of the importance of God's word. Commit to a 6 month period of time to be prayer partners or to study a book of the Bible or a devotional together.
2. Bible reading plans.
With so many things going on in various directions, sometimes we don't even know where to start once we open our bibles. Bible reading plans provide schedule, routine, order, and continuity to our time in scripture. Read through one Psalm a day and circle or note each verse that speaks of His character. Or underline wisdom or truth or a promise of principle. Or Read John and do the same thing. Keep a journal close by and each day write one thing you have learned. If you have time, pray through what you have learned. These books are good places to start.
3. Scripture Challenge!
Try memorizing a scripture each week. If His lovingkindness is before you every day, then you will walk in His ways and find His blessing!
Choose one of the scriptures below and personalize it for yourself:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105
"For Your loving kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth." -Psalm 26:3
Serving a holy God, living for his glory is our goal.
If this is not built into the warp and woof of your life, then when it comes to adulthood and worshipping and reverencing God, there will be no pattern, no practiced understanding of what it means to love and obey our Lord with wholehearted devotion.
We can learn the words of this family way, but we also need to live the reality of our devotion and respect in order for the words to have meaning. Humility is at the heart of honoring others or God as much more important than yourself.
How have you instilled reverence and devotion to our Holy God in your lives?
How have you regarded sacred traditions or relationships as common and lost value for being reverent?
How have you seen things that have intrinsic eternal value degraded in the culture of your world?
Name several ways you can establish a practice of valuing the sacred in your own life.
Would others say that you brought a sense of honor to the atmosphere of your friendship because of the ways you showed honor, consideration and manners of others in your life?
I hope these thoughts will encourage you—and also that you’ll enjoy my podcast today, which also includes a bit from our Proverbs study at Life with Sally!
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