Being a mother can be tortuously distracting. Completing a thought is a momentous occasion. Our to-do lists’ are huge. Our wishes and worries great. Our minds want to focus, but those pesky things of life get in the way every ten seconds. It’s annoying!
No where has this become a bigger problem than with my time alone with God.
I’m sure you know the scene.
The desire (or pressure) to get alone to pray and read the Bible leaps into your heart. And maybe you somehow even manage to get away and carve out the time. You sit down to still your heart and focus.
“Ah! This is nice!”
BUT… But you forgot to send that text. But you have to get the meat out of the freezer or else you’ll be eating out again tonight. But you’ve had to pee for the last five hours. But your inbox is overflowing. But you finally have two free arms with which to fold some laundry.
You get up to do that “one last thing”. Hours later, you wonder whatever became of that precious moment you could have spent before the throne of God.
While there are many factors at work here, there is one simple change that you can make TODAY that will keep at least a few of those distractions from getting the best of you.
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Get on your knees. Literally.
It seems so simple. Praying and reading the Word while kneeling at a bed seems almost childish and overly religious. But since I made the switch, the length and quality of my time spent with God has increased tremendously! Here’s a couple reasons why I think that might be.
I’m immobile
I’m not sure why, but it takes considerable effort for me to get up from a kneeling position, even more so than when I’m seated. These extra few moments are like a fail safe for when I’m distracted and about to wander off. Usually by the time I’ve shaken my legs awake, I’ve remembered that I was intending to pray and I go back to main purpose for being in such an awkward position in the first place. Seems silly, but it’s really made a difference.
I’m uncomfortable
Even if my body is staying in one place, my mind can wander in a million different directions. I’m still working on keeping my mind focused. It takes a lot of discipline. But I’ve found that while I’m on my knees, my body isn’t very pleased with me. But it is a constant reminder of why I’m here. So when my mind had veered off into menu planning, my ankles will remind me that I’m here to pray, so let’s get to it!
I’m humbled
Kneeling is such a reverential position. Because I’m immobile and because I’m uncomfortable, I’m vulnerable and surrendered to the One whom I am kneeling before. It’s a physical reminder that I’m the beggar in this relationship.
So there it is. One very simple change you can make today to help you focus during your devotion time with the Lord. Let me know in the comments below if you have any pointers for me, since I’m still struggling in this area.
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Julie is a frazzled mom of three tornadoes. As a dorky second-generation homeschooler, she writes about learning and play, natural living, special needs parenting and matters of the heart. She serves an astounding God that radically saved her.
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Emily says
I love this. It makes complete sense to me why this would help keep focus. About 10 years ago, I decided to do my nighttime prayers while kneeling and I thought it was helpful to keep myself focused. I’m not sure why I stopped. Thanks for reminding me. 🙂
Julie says
Of course! It really does work. Every time I don’t do it, I find myself wandering off. Thanks for stopping by!