Better Together

Some of the benefits that I have found in sharing my Jesus Time.

I don't have to get up at 4 in the morning: Personally getting up at 4 a.m. is not realistic for me. I am consistently up in the night multiple times with one child or another. So when the rest of the family is sleeping I am desperate to take advantage of it.

No more guilt: When I would hear the alarm clock go off in the morning my first instinct would be to hit snooze, trying to grab just a few more minutes. If I am honest, minutes would turn into an hour pretty easily. Then, when I finally did get up my children were immediately on my heels declaring, “I’m hungry.” Thus starting my day in a hole of self condemnation and guilt.

Happier hearts all around: I now wake up with excitement, anticipating my time with the Lord. I am enthusiastic instead of scolding myself and, by default, my children. My children and I start our day in a place of peace, instead of chaotically hitting the ground running, pushing and pulling ourselves into the day’s to do list.

My children see me seeking the Lord: One of the biggest benefits is involving my children in my daily pursuit of God. How will they ever know I am a women fervently after God's heart, if I hide away every time I open up my Bible? How will they know how to seek the Lord if they don't see me leading by example?

My children seek the Lord: This is the number one thing we believing parents want to see our children do, why not start them young! We encourage our children to meet with God in their own special way. They are really encountering the Lord! In my children's devotional Foundation Of Character I share some ideas on how to set the stage for children to encounter the Lord in a daily Jesus Time. Here is an excerpt from Week 3: Intercession

Create a warm and inviting space for them to gather. Turn on worship music. Offer them a cup of hot cocoa or some other yummy seasonal drink. Give each child a prayer journal/notebook and put out colored pencils or crayons. Have a basket full of different children's Bibles and Christ centered books, these are just a few ideas to get you started. Keep in mind this time will look different for each child. My 3 year old will finish her cocoa and get up and dance while my 9 year old will color and create for several minutes. The most important thing is creating and allowing space in your day for your children to encounter Jesus in their own organic way.

Great link to find scripture coloring sheets http://www.marydeandraws.com/
Other great options On Pinterest

It doesn't end: When my cup of coffee is drained and it's time to move on with the day, the worship doesn't stop. The music stays on, and the Lord stays with us encouraging, reminding, and cheering us on to walk in His truth.

I want to end with sharing with you some tools that have helped me make my Jesus Time quality time.

1. Measure the length of time by a cup of your favorite morning beverage and not the clock. When you begin to include your children in on your time with the Lord, expect to have interruptions. You can always reheat your drink but you can't turn back the clock.

2. My Bible Appendix. I was given a Joyce Meyer's Study Bible and in the back is a wonderful section with a scripture study categorized by topic: Anger, Walking In Love, Waiting on God's Timing, Peace, Stress, Self-Control. I pick an area that I notice needs some work. I look them up and pray/ journal through the scriptures.

3. A personal journal. I feel like I connect with my prayers more if I write them down. I also list 5 goals a day that I want to work on. These range from tasks that need to get done around the house to things like "remember to smile, stay in peace, or be slow to anger.”

4. A secondary journal. I believe it is part of my calling as a wife and mother is to pray for my household. I take a little time to pray for one of my family members each day using topical scriptures, again writing them down. I use my Bible appendix to help me pray for areas I see a need for God's involvement, on their behalf.

One last thought: God is multifaceted, and He made each of us so unique down to our fingertips. Therefore shouldn’t our time we share with Him be just as unique, instead of looking like everyone else's quiet time?

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