A New Year's 31-Day Challenge for Christian Mamas

Photo Courtesy of amanky

Happy New Year! Did you stay up to ring it in? Like most years, I sort of did. I do try for the sake of my husband and the children who are old enough to care, but it just is not terribly exciting for me and I usually fall asleep. :)

Sometimes I make New Year's Resolutions, but mostly I don't. I think I am afraid of failure. If you read the statistics, though, New Year's Resolutions are actually very effective in comparison with the things people resolve to do at other times on their own.

Over the past couple of months, I have been addressing my sporadic quiet time and trying to figure out why I am not more consistent than a few times a week. I think it is a couple of things. Firstly, I think I believe I am too busy. Secondly, I think I don't realize how much it matters. Are you like me at all?

"I'm too busy." Of course, I know I am never too busy for God, that He is my most important priority, etc. However, on a practical basis, when I have 1 hour to be out of the house and I still have to dress children, have a shower and scrape the ice off the car, I believe I can't 'fit it in'. Over the last couple of months, I have played a little game with God. I said to Him, "I know you are the most important priority in my life. You are more important than a shower or eating breakfast, but these things are still important. I am going to choose to put you first and I will trust that you will help me to get everything done that needs to be done." I didn't have ridiculous expectations of sitting in my room absorbed in worship and prayer for the full hour or anything, but I did need a few minutes to read God's Word and to talk to him and sit with him. In the many times I have tried this, God has never let me leave the house in my pyjamas or without eating.

"I don't realize how much it matters." I think, in my human state, this will always be somewhat true. I don't think I am capable of truly understanding the importance of my relationship with God, but I can try! For the month of January, I am going to trust God to show me what a month of consistently spending time with Him everyday will mean to my life. I am hoping some of you will join me, so you can share your stories of encouragement with me, too.

So, the challenge is to spend just a few minutes praying and reading God's Word for the next 31 days - every day. Please don't feel you have to set aside a half hour or to get up at 5:30am, if this isn't going to work for you. Let's stretch ourselves, but also be realistic. If you are not already having quiet time consistently every day, then anything will be better than nothing. Start very small. I know God will bless any efforts we make with a whole heart. Reading a few verses and praying for five minutes is worthwhile. Don't let the belief that you should be doing more rob you of spending time with our Lord.

If you would like to join me, leave a comment on this post. I will update my progress on a little sidebar. I can't wait to see what the Lord will do!