Have you ever gotten so busy in your day that you actually forgot to eat? You just kept going, and you realized later on that night, that the reason you were feeling so crumby, even to the point of feeling shaky, was that you hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast. I did that just the other day….it wasn’t until after a bike ride with Dan and the boys that I realized, and boy, did I realize.

Our spiritual life can be the same way, Mamas. We can get so busy in our days that we forget to feed ourselves spiritually. We forget to read the Word….we forget to pray (except to thank God for the food), and we forget to cast all of our cares on Him, choosing rather to cast them on a friend or whoever else will listen. I’m guilty as charged, and I write this to myself more than anyone.

In order to practice effective mothering and really live to our fullest potential, we have got to feed ourselves. We’ve got to make the time, no matter what, to sit down and read His Word….even if it’s just a couple of verses. Two verses read with great diligence and a prayerful attitude, is better than 2 chapters read out of a hurried spirit. Constantly thanking God and praying at intervals throughout the day might be the key to us having an even deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father, Who longs for us to speak to Him and interact with Him.

I know how hard it can be to fit anything extra in….but we have got to feed ourselves, or we will be like the flowers that wither away, and our spirit will go dry. We will have nothing left to give after so long a time without Him. Here are a few strategies for having your quiet time in the midst of a harried, busy, crazy life:

• Make time to just read 2 verses every morning when you get out of bed.  Start your day, just meditating on those 2 verses.
• Make up a few note cards, with some of your favorite Scriptures, to put in some of the busiest parts of your home….such as over the washer, or over the kitchen sink, maybe even on your bathroom mirror.  That way when you’re standing there working on dishes, you can be filling your mind and heart with His Word, meditating on it as you work.
• Fill your home with worship music.  I’ve found this to be really helpful if I’m having a particularly rough day.  I’ll pop in a CD or find some music on my music player (which I have yet to get back up on my blog), and away I go to work while being charged up.
• Read the Bible/Bible stories to your kids.  Not only are you teaching them, but you’re feeding yourself, as well.  There is always something new to learn.
• Pray without ceasing- (I Thessalonians 5:17).  Instead of running to a friend when something goes wrong….instead of thinking, “How do I even begin to pray?”, just talk to God.  Tell Him about your day, ask Him what He has in store for you, tell him your thoughts, talk to Him about your concerns, pray for your husband and children, etc.
• Maybe at the end of the day, you could write a few sentences in a journal, whether it’s about the verses you read that day or how your day went.  You could even use your journal as a prayer book, for you to write down your prayers or thoughts to God.
• Lastly, don’t give up, Mamas, on having a quiet time.  Even if it’s 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or whatever, take that 2 minutes, and fully equip your mind, heart, body, soul, and spirit for the work that God has for you.  Don’t try to live up to others’ expectations, but only seek to live up to His expectations for you.

Feeding yourself ultimately feeds your family, as they will be affected by everything you do.  Feeding yourself will draw you closer to the One Who cares for you more than you could ever  imagine….

So, today, don’t forget to “eat.”

You can read more from Mel over at her personal blog, Real Heart Prints.