It’s 10:00 p.m. The last kid is finally in bed, backpacks are ready to go, lunches still need to be made but that can wait until morning, laundry is in the dryer, and you just pushed send on that work email you’ve been trying to get out all day. Where did the day go?
Being a mom, wife, chauffer, cook, laundress, dutiful employee, and much more is exhausting. It can be hard to find a moment to take a shower, let alone carve out intentional time to study the Bible.
Still, we know it’s important, and we yearn for a respite in God’s Word. But even when we squeeze in a few moments, it can seem like we’re rushing to gulp down the words so we can cross it off our to-do list, and we don’t have the time to let it sink in.
A beautiful truth is that God understands the business of our lives, and he wants to dwell right there with us. He doesn’t live by to-do lists or improvement plans. He is not checking to see if we completed a certain amount of time in Scripture and prayer each day. He is looking to live in relationship with us, and one of the ways he does that is through his Word.
Maybe you’ve tried to be consistent in your Bible reading, but life just got in the way. It happens to all of us. Don’t give up. Just get back up and start again. Here are five tips to encourage you as you get started again or as you keep going.
Remember your “why”
Go back to your motivation. What was it that got you excited about reading God’s Word each day? Take a few minutes to reflect on your “why.” Maybe you could even write down your “why” and put it in a place you look each day to help you remember it.
Build time with God into your daily routine
Do you have a cup of coffee each morning? Maybe you could you read God’s Word while sipping coffee. What about lunch? Perhaps you could take a few minutes to talk with God while eating your sandwich. Or you could do it right before you go to bed to wind down at the end of the day. Have you thought about listening to an audio Bible while you exercise or during your commute?
God gives us grace—we should give ourselves some too
Did you miss a few days? That’s okay! Instead of feeling discouraged, extend yourself grace and pick back up where you left off. The goal is not perfection—it’s progress. Every time you open your Bible, you’re growing in your faith.
Read in Community
Is there someone in your life who might want to go on this adventure with you? Maybe schedule a time each week, either in-person or on the phone, to talk about what you are reading. You could join a larger study group, or it might just be a good excuse to reconnect with a good friend or loved one.
Use a daily reading Bible to help you stay on track
Daily reading Bibles help you mark your progress and stay on track. Seeing how far you’ve come can be incredibly motivating! If you miss a day, don’t stress—just pick up where you left off.
The One Year Bible for Women is a great resource to help you engage with God’s Word daily. You don’t read from Genesis to Revelation; instead, each day’s reading includes a portion from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Can’t read the entire reading in one day? No worries! Just pick a portion, and then pick up from where you left off the next time. And it’s in the accurate and understandable New Living Translation, so reading doesn’t feel like a chore.
Each day’s reading also includes a short daily devotional written to specifically address questions and concerns women have about the Bible. Like the women of the Bible, we face challenges and even joys that can seem overwhelming. The One Year Bible for Women isn’t afraid to tackle those moments, and the devotionals were created to bring God’s Word into real-life issues women face.
The One Year Bible for Women is not another checklist; it’s a way to hear from the one who loves you most and find his strength to face whatever comes your way.
