Lexi Shipp
As a mom in the current season of raising a baby, there are many interesting components to motherhood that make it different from any other role in life. One of the most distinguishing elements, I believe, is that while we can step away from our jobs when we need to, we can step away from friendships when we need to, we can step away from serving when we need to, we can never step away from motherhood. This can be both beautiful and daunting, as we embrace the reality that no one can ever “be us” for the little ones God entrusts into our care.
There is something so special about the way my son lights up when he sees me or hears my voice…there is also something so immediately demanding of everything I have to meet his needs in a way that no one else can. It’s a complexity only a mom can understand…the sacrifice of giving beyond what you have the capacity to in order to nurture an extension of your own self.
In this season of motherhood that requires so much of every element of who we are as human beings, how do we continue to prioritize our relationship with the Lord? When our bodies beg for rest, while our alarm clock is beckoning us to nestle into a quiet place with the Lord? When we finally sit down and focus on our prayer list and the baby begins to cry? When we miss the luxury of having an unrushed time to dig into the Scriptures because there used to be less that needed to be done before our day began?
Here are a few things that have helped me in this season:
1. Read Scripture Out Loud to Your Children
I began doing this when my son was an infant just because I knew the sound of my voice would both sooth and entertain him. Interestingly enough, even though he couldn’t understand it in the slightest, it felt like the most natural thing in the world to invite him into my quiet time. Speaking God’s Word over him while also helping me verbally process the text— this has often been an effective way for me to sit down with my Bible open while also impressing it upon his little heart. (Deut. 6:1-9)
2. Pray Out Loud With Your Children
When I am in the bathroom getting ready or holding my son throughout the day, I will begin to pray out loud. What I have found, is that when I hold him or am simply near him and begin to pray out loud, he is mesmerized. He watches with intense curiosity over what I am doing. As it is often said, our children will do what we do more easily than they will do what we say.
3. Have Scripture Read To You
My husband and I meet quarterly with another couple that pours into us. One of the most practically helpful pieces of advice they have given me as a young mom is to take advantage of technology! Use the Bible app, an incredible free resource, and push play on Scripture! While it is good to sit down with Scripture, there is something to be said about having Scripture read over you.
If you do not have at least one seasoned mom helping you navigate the throes of motherhood, pray that the Lord would send someone your way!
