Two years back, I stayed with my son and  daughter in law for a few weeks, when our little grandson was born. I remember the joyful hugs and cuddles with little Nivin and how night and day seemed to slip into each other. Everything else was kept for another time, we just wanted to enjoy him for now!

When I talk to mothers with young children, most of them confess they don't have any time for Bible studies or Bible reading and prayer.

Just this past week, Tirzah confessed that she was juggling work, papers at University and being a mother to her little Gianna. ‘I will surely join a Bible study after the studies are done’ she said.

Holly complained that she never got uninterrupted time with God because she came home after work to three loud, energetic teenagers .

Flossy confessed that she was drained and tired after her newborn slept. ‘I quickly get a coffee and do my household chores before she wakes up’ she said.

“I have hidden your word in my heart.”-Psalm 119:11a

We can paraphrase it as ‘I have hidden verses from the Bible in my heart.’

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night.”-Joshua 1:8a

These verses call us to:

1. Hide God’s Word in our heart.- What does hiding God’s Word look like. We hide things which are precious to us. I like to take one verse each day as my verse for the day. If there is something you do everyday in the morning, club that with your time with God. Get your coffee and read a few verses following a Bible reading plan from a book or online. Then choose just one verse to carry in your heart. I save this verse on my phone and also note it down in my journal. I highlight words which stand out to me or write it out in color and fancy fonts.

2. Speak God’s Word.-Through the day I take every opportunity I get to quote the verse. When a friend called, when my sister-in-law texted me, when I met a friend for lunch I told them the verse.If I am driving or walking by myself I say the verse aloud.

3. Meditate on it day and night- This is something I love doing. Mulling over it in my head. Today this is my verse of the day

“Ah Lord God Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power. Nothing is too difficult for Thee.”-Jeremiah 32:17 NIV 

 As I prayed for my son’s work, my grandson’s appetite, and for my younger son who was working late through his night shift I prayed the verse and held on to the words describing God.

If your excuse has been ‘I have no time’, give it another thought.

In the next five minutes read one of the following verses, hide it in your heart, speak it and meditate on it.

• 1 Peter 3:11

• Matthew 6:33

• 2 Corinthians 9:8

(instead of inserting the links, we would encourage you to sit with a physical bible for this exercise.)

Then as mothers, we can serve with the strength God provides.

“Serve with the strength God provides.”-1Peter 4:11 NIV

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shoba Ranjitsingh is an architect, writer, a proud mother and an absolutely thrilled grandma to little Nivin. Shoba enjoys studying the Bible and her role as STL at Bible Study Fellowship in Auckland in NZ for 6 years has enabled her to now write and lead Women's Bible Studies. Helping women study and enjoy God's Word as they embrace everyday ordinary life is her prayer as a writer. Long walks, cakes, hymns, books, quiet family evenings, chatting with family across oceans describe Shoba. In this phase of life, Ranjit and Shoba enjoy feeding the birds, smelling the roses, pursuing their hobbies and being grateful for all that God has called them to do. Shoba works as a Learning Support in a Primary School in Auckland and everything simple, honest and true bring her joy!