One thing is for sure: when you are a mom… expect the unexpected.
Flexibility is such an important skill when you are raising kids. You think I will wake up early to do Bible time before the kids wake up, only to have the teens wake up and want to spend time with you…
You know the days are numbered as graduation approaches, so you set it aside, thinking you’ll do it later.
Or maybe you think I’ll get it done while the baby is napping– only the baby decides he doesn’t want to sleep today.
And then you think… before bed, I’ll do it before bed… but you’re exhausted, and your brain is mush, and you couldn’t understand Llama Llama Red Pajama right now, let alone the Bible.
Spending time in God’s Word is important. It creates a connection between you and the Father. But…give yourself grace if it doesn’t happen perfectly. This life will give you lemons… that is a promise, but graciously make lemonade.
In this blog, I will walk you through:
- Overcoming guilt and perfectionistic tendencies
- Weaving prayer and scripture into daily life
- Creating a flexible yet sustainable quiet time routine
Welcome to The Nikki Project, your go-to hub for unraveling life’s beautiful chaos through faith, journaling, parenting, and efficiency. We’re here to empower and inspire busy mamas like you who are seeking to balance personal growth, motherhood, and faith with grace and intention. Our mission is to help you embrace the imperfections, find joy in the chaos, and create a life that aligns with your values and purpose. Join our community of like-minded mamas to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary and find beauty in the messiness of motherhood– let’s roll.
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.
Overcoming guilt and perfectionistic tendencies
You are not perfect. You never will be. You are a sinful human, and you will never be Jesus, so you will not be perfect. Ouch… did that feel a little harsh? It’s the truth, my friend. And if I had to guess, you wouldn’t want the pressure of being Jesus, so let’s just embrace our imperfections and stop comparing ourselves to others or this perfect version you’ve created of a devoted life.
There is no right or wrong way to do prayer or Bible time. Sometimes, for me, it is having the YouVerson app read me the Bible plan when I am dropping the kids off at school. But sometimes, that looks like a Bible study that takes me a solid 45 minutes each day. Sometimes, my prayers are beautifully written, and sometimes, I fall asleep trying to say that prayer in my head as my head hits the pillow. God sees you and knows you just the same.
God is always with you. He is never far from you and accepts you for exactly who you are. He loves you so deeply and unconditionally. It is such a blessing to have a Father who loves you so deeply, and it is such a gift to have the opportunity to spend time with God. It isn’t a burden but a gift.
Every bit of progress is progress. Celebrate consistency. If you miss a day, a week, a month, or even a year of intentional one-on-one time with God, get back to it as soon as you can. It is not an all-or-nothing relationship. It’s ok to wrestle with God.
Weaving prayer and scripture into daily life
Prayer and your faith are not a one-size-fits-all prescription. There is no right or wrong way to pray. It doesn’t have to be complicated or have certain words. Lord doesn’t need to be used as a comma– iykyk– sometimes it’s as simple as “God, I need you right now.”
Adding another thing to the list of habits you’re trying to conquer this year can still feel impossible. You can weave prayer into the pockets of time throughout your day. Or write a verse on notecards and place them throughout the house. This allows you to see them often and pause, even if just for a moment, to connect with God.
I like to pray for my family as I clean up after them. Instead of sitting in frustration, I pray for them. Find ways to make prayer or Bible time a natural part of your routine.
Creating a flexible yet sustainable quiet time routine
The key is finding a routine that works for you! First thing in the morning is when I am in the best state of mind and am most likely to have uninterrupted time, so that’s what works best for me. But maybe before bed works for you… or maybe right now, it is reading Bible stories to your toddlers and then reflecting on that as you get them ready for nap.
Keep in mind that what works for you now may be very different from what worked for you when you were younger or what will work for you next month or 5 years from now. The important thing is that you find what works for you in this season.
Be open to trying something new if what you’re currently doing isn’t working. When you try a new habit or routine, stick with it for a while to see if you can make it work.
Challenge yourself. Start with a small goal and work towards it. Celebrate reaching those milestones. It takes time to get into a habit; this is a habit like anything else. Make it a priority and commit to it.
- Start by determining the best time of day you can commit to.
- Have an alternative plan for busy days or days that go awry.
- Try finding ways to make it more personal. Maybe that is journaling, music, or art to inspire worship and reflection.
- Try stacking habits. Maybe you pray while you drink your coffee, or you listen to worship music while you clean your bathroom.
You won’t get it right 100% of the time… and that’s ok. Consistent quiet time is an oasis for your mental health and overall well-being.
Still want to learn more? Here are 3 Reasons Bible time is part of my daily routine
