A Busy Mum’s Guide to Seeking and Finding God

Hey mama, trust me when I say I know what it feels like to be so busy you can’t seem to find time to be alone with God. 

As a mum to toddlers, you have probably had moments when you get to the end of a busy day and you question what you achieved that day? Or you carry out a lot of tasks but find that those activities that really matter to you are left undone. 

Let’s take it a notch higher: have you had a busy day, week or month that you can not pinpoint 30 straight minutes you dedicated to being with God?

Being a mum is, without a doubt, one of the most honourable responsibilities in the world. It is no wonder mothers get celebrated several times a year, wink. But as you already know this, responsibilities can be quite demanding. 

The responsibilities of motherhood place a demand on a woman’s time and energy such that, if not well managed, she will find herself constantly having to battle conflicting priorities and lack sufficient time or energy to carry out important tasks. 

It doesn’t stop there; she is even more likely to be overwhelmed and burdened with internal conversations about what she could have done better or how she could have spent her time better as well. As if that is not enough, she might feel discontent about how her walk with God is going because she is so busy she can not spend time seeking and finding God. 

Even though time management and prioritisation techniques are useful when it comes to seeking and finding God, there is more to it than simply time management or prioritisation. It is not another item on the to-do list to be checked, done & dusted!

If you are a woman finding it hard to combine being on fire and being busy, because somehow the unending activities of life keep you from tending the fire on your altar, keep reading, sis!

Take a Deep Breath, Let’s Talk!

In our world today, while being busy seems unavoidable for some, for others it is just a fancy thing like a badge of honour to have fully blocked calendars months on end. Little wonder many often find themselves moving through life as though in a confused state, carrying out activities but not converging at any meaningful point. 

Perhaps you’ve been wondering how to remain faithful to the secret place even when you seem to have packed days; let’s begin by addressing the elephant in the room as we seek a solution to this challenge.

On Being a Busy Bee

Being busy and in fact, having a full planner is not necessarily a flex as some folks portray, especially if you are not busy doing what is of priority to God and your life. What is a busy life if it doesn’t give room for free access to God? 

What is the value of a busy life if it misses out on what is primary, pivotal and essential for you to thrive and not just survive? 

Truth be told, if one is too busy to be with God, then one is actually “too busy, indeed” and it calls for an urgent examination of priorities and activities.

Examination will Lead to Self-preservation

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5

Apostle Paul emphasises the need to examine oneself. If you find yourself always being busy, i.e. occupied with many activities, you need to sit still and ask these questions.

1. What do my days and weeks look like right now?
2. Do these activities tie to the vision I have for my life?
3. Do I need to be involved in all these activities? 
4. Are there any of these I do not need to be involved in? 
5. Am I using these activities as an excuse to not spend quality time with God?

While you are at it, be honest with yourself. Honesty doesn’t mean you will like what you see when you look in the mirror, but that you will at least take a look in the mirror and admit where there are shortcomings so you can make changes.

Recalibration Can Now Begin

Once you have examined yourself in the light of what sponsors your need to be busy yet not have sufficient time for God, then you can recalibrate yourself. To recalibrate here is to adjust, set yourself right so that you realign your priorities. 

Understandably, priorities change, and if you are not intentional about walking with God daily, you will keep moving without realising you left Him a far distance ago. Case in point, Mary and Joseph on a journey without realising Jesus was no longer with them.

Pause and respond to these prompts:

1. How much of a priority is being with God to me?
2. How can I design my life to enjoy continuous communion with God?
3. Where can I accommodate 15-30 mins uninterrupted time with Jesus?
4. Is there anything else I’d rather be doing than spending time with God?

10 Practical Ways to Seek and Find God as a Busy Mum

Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 AMPC

It is often said that you will make room for whatever matters to you. Now that we have established that Jesus is top priority, you want to make sure you are giving him the best of your time, i.e. when you are alert, undistracted and not tired and scrambling for bed at 23:56. Let’s examine ten practical ways you can make room for God despite your full schedule. 

1. Obedience

There will be moments you will literally get a nudge in your heart to draw near to the secret place and spend time with God; do not postpone it. Respond to the summons.

2. Set a specific time daily to be alone with God

We can never outgrow the need for daily devotion, time spent with God in the Word of God (Bible), worship and prayer. This is necessary to be refreshed and receive daily instructions and guidance from God. 

3. Schedule retreats

What will a day or two in a quiet room alone with God and free of distractions do for you? Before you ask where to keep your children, they are with their dad or someone in your support system. Time away with God will fill you, refresh you with the strength and energy you need to thrive in your assignments.

4. Adjust your routine to suit your pursuit

Does your routine favour your current season? It is hard to force certain routines to work, particularly if you have moved from that season of life. For example, imagine a breastfeeding mum trying to live by the routines she used as a single lady without children.

5. Take advantage of quiet moments

Those moments often look like nap time, mornings before the children wake up or nighttime when they are asleep; midnight wakes when you can’t sleep back, quiet moments on the bus. Utilise these times to pray in the Holy Ghost, read a verse of the Bible, listen to AudioBible, meditate on the word, and don’t be too quick to reach for your phone.

6. Journal

Do you know you can write to God? There are moments when you sit down, and by writing to God, you can clarify your thoughts, dive deeper and glean insights.

7. Intentionally choose solitude

Here is a way to find God in our noisy world: deliberately choose solitude and silence. You do not have to fill every moment with an activity. When you have free time, you can convert it to a moment of worship and solitude. You’d find it is easier to hear the inward voice of the Holy Spirit that way.

8. Watch what you consume

Cut away all distractions, both physical and digital. You become what you consume. Sanitise your social media accounts. Do away with lewd jokes that don’t land with your spirit; such content desensitises you. Focus on messages, content that edifies, music that enriches you, read books and the Word of God. Same goes with food, do not be given to much eating; have days you wait on God in fasting and prayer.

9. Leverage the fellowship and friendship of believers

The Christian journey is not designed to be a lonely race. If you are in proximity to fire, it is only a little while before you catch fire. Are your friends on fire for God? What kind of conversations do you all have? Do you spur one another to greater spiritual growth? Aside from your friends, you can also enjoy fellowship with brethren, such as church services, bible studies and other faith-building gatherings.

10. Pray in the Spirit 

In season and out of season. When you feel like it or not, keep praying. On the walk to the grocery shop, during school run, while carrying out chores, keep praying. God wants to hear from you. When you can, pray out loud and also, pray under your breath. Declare His words over your life and your family boldly.

In the hustle and bustle of life, you can not afford to relinquish the responsibility of prayer. You also can not afford to move by sight or blindly in this world. When you pray, you position yourself to receive heavenly intel and intervention required to navigate your already busy life successfully.

On Being Consistent

There will be moments when you might miss a day or two, do not beat yourself up. Pick up and keep moving. Keep going even on days when it doesn’t feel like anything is happening, remember, fellowshipping with God is not about feeling but knowing that when you call on to Him, he hears you. And when you feel your hunger for God is going down, ask Him to revive you.

So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon Thy name. Psalm 80:18 KJV

Then we will not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. Psalm 80:18 NKJV

Ultimately,

Being on fire and enjoying a vibrant walk with God even when your days are full is possible. You are required to play your part of drawing near to God. As you do so, He will draw near to you as promised in James 4:8 and you will experience a rich and full life in God. You will find Him changing you into a better version of yourself and be used by him to build your home, family and community.

Let Us Pray,

Dear God, I come before You and repent of having prioritised everything else over a relationship with You. I acknowledge You as my vital necessity and ask that You help me always put You first. I make room for You in my life and welcome You to lead the way. As I put into practice my learnings from this blog (mention specific action steps), help me and meet me as I draw near to You in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you, Lord,