How Do You Find Time to Read?

It's Mother's Day and the weather is beautiful. After days of chilly, cloudy weather, it was time Little E and I spend some time outside! The warmth of the sun not only was pleasant to my body, but the light was pleasing to the soul. I just love being outside when the weather is lovely! While Little E played, I took the time to crack open a book. I was very much still present in the moment with her and it'sa wonder I got any reading done, what with all her excited "Mom! I picked you some dandelions!" But I will never turn down her gifts, her time, or her love. Even if my nose is in a book as soon as she runs off again.

I get asked the question "How do you find time to read?" a lot. As a mom of one and step-mom to three, my life is pretty busy. Between appointments, errands, sports, one-on-one time, and collective family time, it sure seems like I don't have much time.

But time is what you make of it.

Yes, there is a lot to do in a day. But there is also opportunity. Opportunity to read and nurture my mind. Opportunity to do a small craft, like crocheting. Opportunity to pour over God's Word. It's all about how you use time. 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, it all adds up.

Sitting at an appointment with nothing to do but scroll your phone? Read a book.

Enjoying som Vitamin-D while scrolling the phone? Read a book.

Laying in bed, waiting for sleep to come, and scrolling your phone or staring at the ceiling? Read a book. (Kindles or Nooks are a great investment for this as they don't put out a lot of light, but I also really love this booklight that has three settings and it's rechargeable! Great for when husband is sleeping or that cuddle-bug who insists on sleeping in your bed.)

Husband driving to errands or away from the house with the kids? Read a book.

I think you can sense a trend though. Instead of picking up the phone, staring at the wall, or just being plain bored (or maybe even taking a bath!), pick up a book and read.

I recently saw a reel on Facebook about something similar, but very relatable. The theme? What would happen if we replaced our phones with the Bible. This applies to books as well. God encourages us to nurture our minds. We aren't supposed to sit there, scrolling mindlessly, and wasting our time.

Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.

Proverbs 18:15 (MSG)

An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies.

Proverbs 15:14 (MSG)

But it's not just any knowledge we should be filling our minds with. God tells us through the voice of Paul what we should focus our minds on:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

So, mamas, let's fill our minds with good things and nurture them in knowledge so that we aren't wasting our precious time on earth.

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