![]() As moms, our minds are filled to the brim; splashing over with everyday demands and endless “I shoulds.” Our phones light up with calls, texts and notifications while our newsfeeds and inboxes feed us more and more information. This is all on top of the insatiable needs of our little ones hanging from our apron string. It can be hard to catch a break. Recently I recognized that my mind was overwhelmed and bogged down. I craved something deeper than the “Noise.” I longed to uncover God’s voice of direction and encouragement… but how? Today, let’s talk about a few habits we can set in place that will help carve out some much-needed quiet space: 1- Put up social boundaries. Do you find yourself, like me, mindlessly scrolling through news feeds? It’s addicting, isn’t it?! I believe there is incredible value in social media. I enjoy keeping up with friends— both old and new, and I absolutely love celebrating the amazing events of life (mostly oohing and ahhing over sweet, cuddly precious newborns). But oh-- it can be so addicting. And the reality is that it fills our head with more noise. I don’t have some magic solution for us other than to say that we just need to utilize the age-old value of self-control and try to be mindful of when we’re creeping into overuse-mode. Beyond that, every now and again it would be healthy to take a couple of days off completely. One of the best things I’ve ever done is making my week-long family vacation a social media vacation too. I've never felt more relaxed, more in tune with my family and more open to the hearing The Voice. 3- Be proactive with our time. I am certain that nothing creates more Noise than when we are simply being reactive with our time. When our lives start to feel like a juggling act, it might be time to establish some routine. At the beginning of each week, let’s take an hour or so to simply update the calendar and create daily agendas. This will help get a good overview of where we might need to shift errands, play-dates and to-dos in order to balance out the days. The best news is now that now more than ever there are tons of great resources and ideas available via the internet. As with anything else-- find what works for you. Being proactive with our time avoids the Noise that is created by simply reacting to life as it flies at us. 4- Position Ourselves. We can spend all of the time in the world de-cluttering the Noise in our lives, but we mustn’t forget the purpose: to create blank space that God’s voice can invade. Here is the truth: God always, always speaks to an open and yielding heart. When we are intentional to spend time in His presence, we position ourselves to hear that Voice. Whether we “feel” like delving into the Word or feel like we don’t have any time at all— it is so crucial that we take the time to sit in His presence, daily. Some days it will seem as if all of the words are jumping out at you from the thin pages of your Bible… and some days it won’t. Read even when you don’t feel like it. Cry out to God. Journal out your thoughts towards Him, and capture His words to you. Hear that Voice of love, direction and encouragement that you so desperately need. I won’t pretend… every day it’s going to be a battle. The Noise comes naturally, but the Voice must be sought out. Let’s begin the journey to discover and develop habits that will lessen the thousands of little voices in life to hear the One that matters most. Word of the Day: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 20:31 Father, help me to be diligent to shut out the noise of life to hear your voice. Thank you that when I take steps of faith to make space, your voice will invade speaking love, truth and direction into my life. Show me more ways I can lessen those thousands of demanding voices to hear Yours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Author: Katie Gibson
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