“As a deer pants for flowing streams so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul longs for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

Psalm 42:1-2, ESV

Do you struggle to find time to spend with God? Like the Psalmist, does your heart long for time to meet with God?

This is my desire many days. I long for God, but the time is so short. Kids wake up early, a full schedule overwhelms me, someone gets sick, and I sink into bed at night exhausted and empty, longing for God.

During those times, a good devotional can help sustain you when you’re short on time. Devotionals are different from a Bible study because they are short, and you can read them in just a few minutes.

I also find devotionals helpful when I’m struggling to connect with God on my own. When I read his word and it just doesn’t sink in, or when I’m so weary I can barely get myself to his feet, having someone else’s thoughts and words to guide me helps me continue to abide and connect deeper with my Father when I don’t have time for a longer study.

My favorite right now is the Hope for the Weary Mom Devotional by Brooke McGlothlin and Stacey Thacker. I have it laying on my kitchen table, so if a kid wakes up early or I have just a moment to spend with God, I still can get some good quality time in with thoughts to follow me throughout my day.

You can find devotionals in many places. Often your local church will have Power for Today or something similar for free, or you can find devotionals by browsing your favorite book store whether mortar, online, or on the YouVersion app.

Today, find a devotional and try it out. You might even have an unread one laying around your home. Whatever devotional you choose, I pray it gives you new insight into God and gives you a hunger for him as you seek to abide in him daily.

Abiding Alone

There are many great devotionals out there. I have some of my favorites listed as resources below and some come with a Kindle version, too. To abide today go to your favorite Bible app — YouVersion or BibleStudyTools are two good ones — and find a devotional series to get you started. On both apps, it’s as easy as opening the app and clicking on the “Plans” link at the bottom. I would suggest starting with a short plan, so you feel like you accomplished something, but it’s not too overwhelming.

Abiding with Kids

The important thing with kids is that you make it fun and relaxing. From watching Jesus, I’ve learned it helps to meet physical needs first. Since I have 3 boys, I like to get them a drink (tea, hot chocolate, milk…) and a snack, and then we sit down to read the devotional.

The YouVersion app also has plans you can do with older and younger kids, and I’ve added some of my current favorite resources for kids below. The important thing is to start. Find time today to begin teaching your kids to abide in Jesus, too.

Resources

Here are some of my favorite devotionals for myself and my kids. I’d love to hear some of yours. Please share in the comments!

Hope for the Weary Mom Devotional by Brooke McGlothlin and Stacey Thacker (Kindle, too)

God’s Little Devotional Book for Women by David C. Cook

Our Daily Bread for Kids by Crystal Bowman, Teri McKinley, and Luke Flowers (Kindle, too)

Growing with God: 365 Daily Devos for Boys (Veggie Tales)

Wise for Salvation by Christie Thomas

Pressing Pause by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

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Need more ideas for spending time with God throughout your days? Click on the picture below and join the Abide 5 day challenge! You’ll be sent 5 emails with ideas like the one above to help you and your kids build and deepen your relationship with God.