As mothers, one of our greatest struggles is time to do all that we have to do. Often times our devotional time takes a hit if we don’t get up before the kids or if we’re so tired at night that we can’t keep our eyes open to read.
I’ve tried getting up before the kids do to do my Bible reading, but it just doesn’t work for me. I fall asleep, even if I sit at the table. So then, for a number of years, I did my Bible reading at night, sitting in bed. That worked well about 50% of the time, but even then I often couldn’t read as long as I wanted to because my husband needed the light off to sleep. It wasn’t until I realized that my kids never saw me touching my Bible that I made changes.
For the past year I’ve done my Bible reading after breakfast, once the kids are settling in to do their school work (we homeschool). Yes, that means there are times I’m interrupted. I plan for it. How? If a question needs more than a quick response, I ask if I can get back to them as soon as I’m done, and then I follow through with that. If a child is acting up, I’ll have them stand silently by my chair and wait until I’m done. That way they can’t disrupt their brothers and sisters any more than they already have. The kids have learned to wait, when they can, for me to finish. When one comes out of their hidey-hole where they do their school, sees me in my chair with my Bible then leaves, I know to check in with them when I’m done.
The most important way I plan for interruptions in my Bible reading is watching my attitude. My days are so full of interruptions that there are times I want to scream ‘Would you just leave me alone for a bit while I read my Bible?!’ Now doesn’t that sound like a godly mother? Not.
Remembering this has helped me:
Being interrupted is the price I pay for my children seeing me in God’s Word on a daily basis.
It has had tremendous rewards in our family.
Not only am I consistently in God’s Word, but there have been many times when I’ve checked on my kids during school hours that they’ve had their Bibles open and were reading them. 
The day I ‘caught’ my 16 year old son reading his Bible, I went in there ready to do battle, thinking he was sluffing off on his school work, instead I asked him to work fast on his school, when he was done there, because we had things to do that afternoon. I left his room and almost cried. God was answering my prayer for my children.
Another reward was walking past one of my daughter’s school area and seeing her Bible sitting there, open, and seeing my other daughter go to bed early so she had time to read her Bible before settling down for the night. This hasn’t happened just once or twice, but rather on a fairly regular basis.
These things came about without a word from me. I haven’t made them read their Bible as part of school and I haven’t told them to spend time in God’s Word. I showed them through my consistent example how important it is. Sure, I’ve blown it at times and bellowed as I sat there with my Bible on my lap, but remembering my twofold purpose has greatly helped me with my attitude toward interruptions—and not only during my Bible reading time.
It was worth rearranging my day for.
So tell me, when works best for you to do your Bible reading?
Thank you for this post!
I too struggle to find time to spend in God's word; I tried to read in the morning before my girls are up but get distracted with the internet. At night after they are in bed I am distracted with my own schoolwork; but like you I realized that my girls aren't seeing me read my Bible so I have started reading it whenever I have a quite moment and like you I accept the ineveitable interuptions because at least I'm trying and they are seeing me try.
I have my quiet time in the morning before the family awakes – but inevitably little people wake too early and find me reading. Though I wish they'd sleep longer I am glad that they find me reading my Bible and know that I "practice what I preach."
Growing up my mother did them in the evening once all the kids were in bed. I remember waking sick, or with a nightmare and consistently finding her at the kitchen table reading her Bible.
Though I didn't see it daily – I knew she was reading daily – it was evident in her life – she oozed Jesus' love and words of wisdom! Oh how I long to be like her!!!
Courtney
http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com
What a great testimony, Courtney! I often pray that my children will remember me as a Woman of the Word…but how often do I miss DAYS of reading my Bible and spending time at His feet. Thank you for this post, Patty!
Thanks for this post. I have four under five years old and struggle to stay awake in the a.m. or the evening to read my bible. Then I just feel even more aweful and sinful becuase I don't find God's word intersting enough and I fall asleep reading it, I too have realized that my children rearely see me in God's word so why would they value it as relevant in thier own lives? We have little concrete in this house with so many littles but things are starting to shape up. We are learning through trial and error what works and what doesn't. I need to set a time during the day that is dedicated to bible reading. Perhaps when I am nursing? Perhaps when I put the kids to naptime, they will surely see me reading since they often get out of bed a hundred times to go potty! My baby is turning five soon and he is really in need of seeing me in the Word, I want to be an example in word and deed. thanks again.
I am so glad to read this post. It seems of all the things I have to do, my devotion time is hit and miss at best. I don't get up early, and my kids go out of house for school, so I may have to start trying to do this in the evening so I can let them see me in the word. And I have to tell you, my life would probably be better and my attitude would certainly be better. Or at least I hope it would be.
I incorporate reading my bible at the same time they are doing school, so while we are at the school table and they are doing their work, I'm there doing mine.
I plan starting in January, instead of me reading to them, having them read to me from their bibles to not only practicing reading, but also so they can also learn to develop a bible reading time of their own.
This post was like a breath of fresh air. I have taken so many Bible studies that talk all about how you are to get up before the sun and spend time with God. I have always felt so guilty the days that I just can't get out of bed. I do spend several minutes in prayer before I get up, but I love the idea of my children needing to see me in God's word. Thanks to you I will no longer feel guilty reading my Bible while my son(he is only 2) plays or reads near me each day.
You ladies have blessed my socks off today! Thank YOU!!
My oldest will soon be 17 and my youngest is 8 (I have 5 kids) and over the years we've talked about Bible reading and I'd tell them I read at night, sitting in bed, but because they didn't see me during those late night hours it didn't sink in to them.
Reading during the day, like I am now, they see me and it's provided a tremendous amount of accountability for me! Just this morning as I played taxi, my daughter (15.5 y/o) was chatting about Genesis with her older brother–it was better than sweet music to my ears and heart!
Read God's Word and let your children see you put a high priority on your time with God! It's worth the adjustments and training!!
Hugs all around!
I'm usually doing my "quiet" time while my kids play in the afternoon in the playroom. I sit on the couch and read while they play. (They are 2 and 4). I also like for them to see me doing that. We *try* to read the Bible as a family at the breakfast table, too, but sometimes it's hard to coordinate all of us being at the table at the same time
I could have written this post! Thank you for writing it.
I've always struggled with consistency in my Bible reading time, often using the excuse that I read devotions (which included scripture) or I did a Bible lesson with the children. Now that I have 7 children, "finding" the time is no longer an option. I have to MAKE the time!
In the past, I've read after the children were in bed and lately I've read it before they get up in the morning. However, I've had the exact same thoughts at you about it….my kids *need* to see me in the Word.
My favorite statement that you wrote was "Being interrupted is the price I pay for my children seeing me in God's Word on a daily basis."
I love this! I will look for other times to read my Bible in front of my kids as well as my "alone" time in the morning….and I have a new motto about being interrupted during my Bible reading time.
Blessings,
Michelle
http://www.thinkingchristianmom.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing. It is always great to hear about how others manage their quiet time. I have a 1 year old and two year old. I do my bible reading before or after breakfast. Some days it is longer than others. On the days that it is only a verse or two, I thank that Lord for being able to read that much. My prayer time is more a 'pray without ceasing" kind of prayer in moments throughout my day. Chloe loves to have bible reading time with momma. As they get older, perhaps I'll be able to have more time, but for now, this works for our family.