When I was in college, I spent SO much time reading my Bible and praying and teaching and leading worship ... it consumed my entire day. Every day. I was looking forward to waking up before the sun to have my "coffee date" with Jesus at Starbucks. I poured through the Word, listened to sermons, and genuinely prayed for people.
The Problem
I became a wife, and stepmom, a mother, an employee, a stay-at-home mom, a business owner ... (as my role shifted from my single life) ... the past 10 years have brought busyness, challenges, stress, triumphs, and so much more.
BUT, the number one thing that has changed in the past 10 years is my time with God. Little ones wake up before my alarm. Lunches need to be made. Diapers need to be changed. I don't have the time I once had to devote to my relationship with God.
I can't tell you how many times throughout the past decade that I've just LONGED for a day to myself - where I could go sit at Barnes and Noble, sip some coffee, and read for hours.
Instead, I try to schedule time before bed and in the morning before everyone wakes up to read (and it almost never happens that way). I'm either too tired to read at night or too tired to get up early. The kids will decide bedtime is optional or wake up way too early ... I felt stuck. Out of options. I felt like my relationship with the Lord would never deepen the way I desired it too.
The Solution
Until I took the advice of a 17th century writer. Brother Lawrence was a cook in a French monastery and was able to turn his mundane, daily tasks in to worship and praise and communion with God. Rather than changing what he had to do, he invited God into what he was already doing.
By inviting God into our daily tasks, and staying in consistent conversation with Him throughout our day, we are able to develop a strong and intimate relationship with Him. The Bible is clear that God is omnipresent, so He is not confined to specific buildings, time frames, or rituals - only we are confining Him to that.
Rather than spending lengthy time praying, I've been establishing "one breath prayers" into my daily life. Whether I'm doing the dishes, blogging, changing diapers, etc., I will say one or two "one breath prayers".
Here's some examples:
"Thank you so much for this sweet baby girl."
"You are with me."
"Bless the work of my hands today."
"Allow me to glorify You through this."
"I'm trusting You."
"You are my God and Savior."
"I want to know You more."
"You are with me and for me right now!"
I encourage you to start saying this every time you switch tasks throughout the day, and do it as often as possible so it is deeply rooted in our heart. And, keep in mind, that you are not seeking out an "experience", whether it be spiritual or emotionally filling". You are seeking out an RELATIONSHIP.
Psalm 77:12 "I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
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