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Intentional with My Time

November 27, 2018 in Motherhood

“I love my child, but I love Jesus more,” I remember when I first brought Elle home from the hospital I came across a newsletter with this title. Of course, I clicked because the title literally grabbed me. Just entering motherhood and seeing these words would catch anyone’s attention, right?

The more I read, the more it began to stick. Yes, even with this sweet smelling baby in my arms who my heart bursts over, I do indeed love her, but yes I love Jesus more. I have to love Jesus more. If I didn’t, there is absolutely no way I can be all the parent Elle needs. She needs me to love Jesus more, so I can give her the best. She needs me for everything – feeding – changing – teaching – discipling – loving! She’s relying on me (and her dad) – for everything!

Truth, I did love Jesus more, but as I adjusted to motherhood, I prioritized my time with Him less and less. Days and weeks would go by without having alone time with Jesus. I’m not talking about a Sunday church service or a bible study or even a small group; I’m referring to one on one space with the one I love the most.

I even began to table my quiet time to milestones with my daughter. I’ll be able to have more quiet time when –
1. she’s sleeping through the night
2. once she moves out of our bed – still hasn’t happened.
3. once she gets into school – and we are still on the waitlist.

There was always something tabling my quiet time to the next “big” moment. The moments would come, the milestones would happen, and there was always ANOTHER reason to postpone my quiet time, like:

sleep deprivation, cleaning the house, folding the laundry, an attempt at dinner and so on.

So, how do I become intentional with my time with Jesus?

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the one ….. whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.”

The more we delight, the more fruit we bear.
The more we stay connected to our source of nourishment, the more we have to give.

If I desire to “prosper” in every area of my life, I have to plant myself in God’s word and dwell in a place of worship constantly.

So again, how do I become intentional with my time with Jesus?

1. Be honest in prayer. “Jesus, I haven’t done the best with my time. I haven’t used what you’ve given me wisely. Because of this, I am weak, I am easily frustrated, and I need guidance. I need nourishing. Show me areas where I have given too much of my time. Show me those areas that do not bear fruit. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
Saying a prayer as simple as this gives God the chance to change your heart and shape your days according to His perfect plan for you. All God needs from us, is an open heart. Although His will for us is perfect; He will never force it upon us. Instead, He gives us the chance to choose GOOD.

2. Set the tone in your home. Be a keeper of your home. Set the atmosphere for the day. I like to rise before my family, which I will admit is completely tough; I enjoy sleep. However, I have my days when I WIN. On those days, I usually play my favorite worship music and start my day, while starting laundry or tidying up the house. Just a few minutes of worship really really helps.

3. Be the light. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 Even in her young age, Elle is watching, learning, and mimicking. If I pray for her to be the light, then I must model this at home. My first ministry and my first commitment is to my home – my family. So, I must show Elle what it looks like to seek after Jesus with all my heart and all my soul.

I pray that you find a few practical steps in this blog and commit with me to WIN with your time and become more intentional.

I’d love to hear back from you, share your comments below.

XO, Carm W.

Tags : Baby, Bibles, Christian, Jesus, Motherhood, Worship

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Valerie says

    November 29, 2018 at 10:16 am

    Good morning Carmen,
    It’s a blessing for God to allow you to see your shortcoming when it come to being more focus on Him… it’s even more of a blessing for you to acknowledge this is the place you have found yourself to be! Now God can do the adjustment needed for you to truly WIN. Carmen you WIN … DO It JESUS.

    • carmenwatkins says

      November 29, 2018 at 9:03 pm

      Thank you for reading and sharing, mommy!
      We WIN, amen!

  2. Meyuna says

    November 29, 2018 at 11:36 pm

    Ahhh Carms, thank you for your vulnerability! This read was as GREAT as it was Convicting! SO NEEDED to read this blog and I’m glad others will as well!! Im no Mommy, but replace the responsibilities of being a mommy with *insert role, thing, social media or duty*….and BOOM.. that’s ME!.. I will definitely take your steps and apply them!! Starting Tomorrow, especially with the prayer! Dude, you’re a freaking rockstar, though! Xoxo

    • carmenwatkins says

      December 4, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Meyuna!
      1. Thank you for sharing feedback! It’s motivating and keeps me encouraged to write + post more
      2. You are so right – you can insert a bunch and it still applies. Which is confirmation that this post was for more than just the moms.
      3. Yes, to applying the steps and choosing to WIN!
      4. I love you suga-buga! 🙂 I’m going to miss you during the next 11 months, cheers to MeemsOnAMission

  3. Montrice Wilson says

    November 29, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    Intentional…I love THAT WORD when it is in reference to how we need to be with the one we love most, because that is EXACTLY how He loves us, intentionally and on purpose. Thank you for the reminder and the steps to getting back on track. This was much needed.

    • carmenwatkins says

      December 4, 2018 at 10:15 am

      Hi Montrice!
      Wow!
      Thanks for reading and providing feedback. Feedback means so much to me. And, yes you are so right He loves us intentionally and on purpose!

  4. Jo Covington says

    December 8, 2018 at 8:30 am

    This was very inspiring and convicting to push myself and others out of their comfort zones to do better. Thanks Carmen and may God continue to bless you and family RICHLY.

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I’m looking forward to serving in this space again as bible study leader and welcoming back experts to provide us with all the tips we need to succeed at every stage of motherhood. Every stage, 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐒. All of the details are available, www.carmenwatkins.com and everything is absolutely free. 
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Friendly reminder— Don’t be the guy roaming y Friendly reminder— 
Don’t be the guy roaming your local Walgreens or CVS scrambling for a card. 🫠🤭
•
I know holidays can sneak up on us, but I’m here to help. You can do this, group hug! 🤣
#forwardtothedads
#idontmindtakingtheheatforus
#friendlyreminder
#momshelpingmoms
I haven’t been on my feed much and it has a lot I haven’t been on my feed much and it has a lot to do with the work I’ve been putting into @maskedmotherhood — I don’t take it lightly that I get to serve in this space, and one day I’ll have a full system that runs like a machine, but until that happens as a wise woman told me — “clarity will come as you go.”
•
So just go for it!
GOD BLESS THE TRIBE | 4U @sdtribe GAME DAY #photod GOD BLESS THE TRIBE | 4U @sdtribe GAME DAY #photodump
My greatest responsibility isn’t just to share J My greatest responsibility isn’t just to share Jesus, but show Jesus. 
•
It means nothing to share Jesus with others, and not live a fully devoted life showing the love of Jesus at home with my husband and my kids. 
•
God, guide me as wife and mom. Help me to fully show up demonstrating your love in my home. Let joy be the aroma of my home. Let forgiveness come easy. Let your light shine in and through us. Help me to serve selflessly and unto you. In Jesus name, amen.

#thedubs
📣Special Announcement 📣 • Masked Motherhoo 📣Special Announcement 📣
•
Masked Motherhood is BACK!! 
•
If you’re new here, this is Deacon my #pandemicbaby and the reason behind @maskedmotherhood. I, like so many other moms found out I was pregnant at the beginning of the 2020 and shortly after that a global shutdown. 
•
Just like that, resources available to pregnant women were few and far in between, our spouses could no longer attend appointments, and there was so much uncertainty around if and when the pandemic would end. We were in a space of hiding as women.
•
God gave me the vision to create a space where moms could come together for bible study, prayer, and as an added bonus have experts join our weekly calls to talk with us about the new protocols for labor and delivery, our mental health as moms, navigating the postpartum phase, the pros to chiropractic care in pregnancy, and the ups and downs of breastfeeding. It was a beautiful season, and as a constant reminder we focused on 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝟒:𝟏𝟒, “𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬”, we were called to bring forth the next generation in the middle of a global pandemic. 
•
Almost 18 months later — 𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆, and 𝐝𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞-𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭-𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧. This group is back and available to you. Because the truth is YES we as moms need resources, but we really need Jesus! 
•
I’m looking forward to serving in this space again as bible study leader and welcoming back experts to provide us with all the tips we need to succeed at every stage of motherhood. Every stage, 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐒. All of the details are available, www.carmenwatkins.com and everything is absolutely free. 
•
If you have any questions, please comment below or send me a DM! 
•
Bible Study begins on Tuesday, April 19th
Can I get a 🥁drum roll, pleaseeeee? • Congra Can I get a 🥁drum roll, pleaseeeee? 
•
Congratulations to the winner of the @northpointmall Spring Giveaway…

🎉 @chelle.phillips 🎉

Please check your DM to claim your prize. Everyone else thank you so much for participating and sharing this giveaway! 

Meet me in the comments to Congratulate @chelle.phillips and let me know if you’d like to see more giveaways in the future!!! 

#northpointmall
#northpointmallalpharetta 
#thingstodoinalpharetta 
#carmenwatkins 
#carmenwatkinsblog 
#momblogger
#bloggermom
#blackmomsblog 
#momblog 
#heyblackmom
#blackmominfluencer 
#atlantamoms
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Yesterday as we were getting ready, Britt’s grandma said how amazing it is that we have all remained friends over the years. 18+ years connects the 4 of us, and no time, distance, or relationship has ever come between us.
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Love them all so deeply and @itsme_msb Britt Britt what an honor to stand with you as you committed to for richer or for richer (inside joke) 😂😜 with Stephen. I love you to the moon and back and back again. 
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#swipe to see the Carm you don’t get on the gram! Lol. Reserved for the near and dear. 😜 Also my husband looked so scrumptious last night 😍🥰. If I have another kid we agreed to name him after the bartender, Jawan😩😂
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