During the Wednesday night church service our pastor led us to a Bible verse in Matthew 26:39. He wants to place an emphasis on it for 2017 and I am right there with him.
Matthew 26:39 reads, “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Remember where it said “He went a little farther”
I want to go a little farther. I want to push a little harder in building my relationship with God this year, don’t you?
As important as I know spending time with the Lord is each day, it can sometimes be an exhausting pursuit for a mom of 5. Who’s with me?
I have a pretty regular, morning routine of waking up early to read my Bible, my daily devotional “Streams in the Desert” (An amazing devotion I highly recommend), and then prayer time. However, many times it is interrupted with my children waking up and the immediate hustle and bustle that brings.
How can I go farther with God as a busy mom?
The Lord answered this for me last night.
The Bible says,”he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed”
A light bulb in my soul came on! This is so often where I fail. I start my day reading Gods word, but many times I fall short of the fervent, on my face, praying we read about in Matthew 26:39. Instead, my prayers are quick and silent as I scurry around the kitchen preparing breakfast and getting kids ready for school. I try to break away to pray in a deeper, more focused way, but it doesn’t always happen. It finally occurred to me that a simple rearranging of my quiet time with God could change all that.
This morning I STARTED in prayer. Before my littles ever had a chance to wake up, I was on my knees before God. Just as I was saying Amen I heard a bedroom door crack open and little pitter pattering feet came running out.
This may not be the case for everyone, but it’s easier for me to read my Bible with chaos around me, than it is to pray fervently. At least while I am reading, my eyes are open and I can make sure my little acrobats aren’t hanging from the ceiling fans. While my children ate breakfast I was able to read my Bible and devotional. Now most of them are playing quietly upstairs while my youngest sits here beside me.
I’m sure this small change to my morning routine isn’t failproof or perfect but I believe this will allow me to pray as Jesus prayed more frequently than not. I want to live my life looking to Jesus as my example and if He falls to his face to pray, that’s what I want to do too.
Moms out there, this is for you. We have a big job in front of us and a great responsibility God has given us. Don’t let the demands of being a mother keep you from going farther with the Lord this year. It is hard to make time to pray and read the Bible, but if it is truly your desire to follow God he will make a way even in the chaos. The Lord sees our struggles and sometimes the momma struggle is REAL, but don’t let it take away from what’s most important….our relationship to our creator, father, and savior Jesus Christ.
Go a little farther…. What’s the next step in your walk with God this year?
God Speed to all you Christian mommas out there!
Samantha Miller Interiors 