In the middle of another day in which the lack of time I find to accomplish anything was starting to seem overwhelming... God sends this via the Gospel Coalition Blog.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once spoke with a group of medical students who complained that in the midst of their training and the ferocious work hours they really didn’t even have time to read the Bible and have their devotions and so on. He bristled and said, “I am a doctor. I have been where you are. You have time for what you want to do.” After a long pause he said, “I make only one exception: the mother of preschool-aged children does not have time and emotional resources.”
It is important to recognize, too, that there are stages of life where you really don’t have time to do much, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Children will sap you. If you have three children under the age of six, forget serious reading unless you have the money for a nanny. When our youngest finally went off to kindergarten, we celebrated that day—I took my wife out for lunch. Only then could she get back into reading again. It’s the way life is. You have to be realistic.
Click here to read the whole Gospel Coalition blog entry
It always helps so much to know that others 'get' it, and have been there. :)
5 comments:
AMEN! It is so true. Thank you for sharing. I constantly need reminders that God's plan for me right now is to be the mother of my children. Motherhood is a big job that requires a lot of focus. There is no ministry or career that needs me more than my family needs me. And you, my friend, are doing a fabulous job being a mother! <3
While I certainly have days where I am moving from the moment I hear that first cry of the morning to the moment my head hits the pillow, I think can be a dangerous exception. I need those few precious moments in the Word more now than I ever have before if for no other reason than having little minds and souls to shape in addition to my own. But I do agree that it is a relief to know that someone else gets it. That for mothers of small children, our lives are not our own. But I suppose since I took the time to read your blog, Amy, I have time to read the Word, don't I?
And children are so very important to our Father! You have been given very special gifts!
Mark 10:13-16 ESV
"And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them."
I do agree with you Becca. I still need to do all I can to make the time. I know how important it is for me, and my mothering... But reading this helps with me with the struggle over the desire I have to read and study with the thoroughness, intensity and focus that I did in college or even with only one at home... The way I feel wired to study... I often feel like I'm shortchanging God when I just read a short passage, or a 'simple devotional'. And yes, I could get up an hour or two before them each day... but that is just not happening right now. :)
Post a Comment