Time for God?

My two girls napping: Miss E on the couch (all covered up) and Baby E in the vibrating chair.



Time is so precious, especially with a growing family.



There is always something on my to-do list ranging from the immediate make-and-feed-Baby E or find-0ut-what-that-THUD-noise-came-from to the less immediate but necessary tasks of dishes, laundry, mopping, running errands, wiping noses or litte butts :), etc.



When I have a spare moment, which usually occurs when (thank God) both girls nap at the same time in the afternoon, all I want to do is flop on the couch, sip some hot tea, and watch my DVR'd episode of Desperate Housewives.



I don't know why/how/when I got it in my head that quiet time with God, which I try to get to Monday-Friday every week, had to be something that I came to with energy, grace, or even a great attitude. I mean really, does God expect me to arrive perfect and pretty? NOPE. He's in the business of changing me, not waiting for me to change myself before I can come to Him.



I do have time for God. I do. I know I can and should carve out some moments to get right---whatever that means for that day. I manage to exercise, make it to appointments on time, and get eight loads of laundry washed, dried, folded, and put away.



Sometimes, my motivation to spend time with God isn't there. One, because I'm so DIM (do it myself!), and I figure on some days, I just don't need God. (Oh, how He is laughing right now!) Other times, I just feel like I have too much on my plate to squeeze in just one more thing. Sometimes, I just don't have the energy. Flipping on a TV show or checking my Facebook account is mindless, where time with God requires energy and heart.



BUT, I know, I KNOW, that when I am communion with God, everything else will fall into place. Matthew 6:33 boils down to this: seek God FIRST. Not last, not later, not think-about-God. It's a verse that screams: JUST DO IT.



I've often felt overwhelmed when I think about parenting two little girls (really, two babies), managing my household, writing articles, making dinner, managing my diabetes well, etc. How can I do it all? How will I be successful? The truth is, I can't do it alone. I know my strength, truly, comes from God. Strength, patience, peace, joy---these are both learned behaviors and gifts. And how can one learn about them? Grow in them? Digest them? How is that possible without time with God?



I'm not going to make some flighty, artificial New Year's resolution. But I am making small changes to make sure I get in some time with God. I know I am the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and diabetic I can be when I do so.



I'm writing this blog post on a Sunday, which I rarely do, because it seems appropriate to reflect on my spiritual life (which should govern my entire life) on the Sabbath. Sundays are holy, special, unique. I'm thankful for them. They are days of worship (church in the morning) and rest (long afternoon naps) and family time (relaxing in our pjs and snacking).



I hope that you, dear reader, have diligently been able to seek and be in communion with God. It does make all the difference.



We create time for the things that matter most to us.