I stared hard at the page, trying to force my brain to make sense of the words swimming in front of me. My mind raced 100 miles a minute, and I couldn’t focus.
I didn’t understand after Edison was born, but now I recognize the symptoms of severe postpartum anxiety. I discovered a solution almost by accident.
The social media app Periscope was a big deal back in 2015, and watching my favorite bloggers livestream took my mind off of painful nursing or pumping sessions. Gretchen Saffles livestreamed a daily devotional that I looked forward to every morning. Something about video, seeing someone’s friendly face, slowed my anxious thoughts and created space to focus and rest.
It’s hard to think of a time when it’s more difficult to focus and rest than as a new mom. Taking care of a baby and taking care of yourself is all-consuming, and that’s as it should be! Motherhood changes you at the core of your being, not to mention, it’s a lot of hard work, plain and simple. Add on top any postpartum anxiety or depression, and life becomes even more difficult.
Yet, that’s why spending time in the Word becomes is especially critical. In those days, I desperately needed the daily reminder that God hadn’t abandoned me, He had a plan for my life, and His strength was sufficient for me.
My heart behind these tips is not to help you find a way to check off the box that you’ve had your quiet time. It’s not to make you feel guilty when you can’t find the energy, or get out of the habit, or just simply can’t focus. My hope is that you’ll use these ideas as tools if spending intentional time in the Word and in prayer is something you long for – and that you’ll give yourself plenty of grace.
Tips for a devotional time as a new mom:
- Reading written prayers. I used to think praying prayers written by someone else made them inauthentic. Now I know better! Just like the words of a song might speak to you, the words someone else expressed to God can also speak to your situation. Sometimes when you can’t find the words, someone else has expressed it perfectly. The book of Psalms consists of the recorded prayers and songs. Reading written prayers helps immensely if you’re struggling with focus and attention span.
- Flexibility. When creating a habit, science says it’s best to do it at the same time every day. But when you’re just trying to get through each day, don’t worry about it. One day the early morning might work, the next – before bed. Using the apps I suggest below can help you find a quiet moment anywhere.
- Grace. Let go of the idea that your devotions, or quiet time has to look a certain way – I give you permission! Your “quiet time” may not actually be very quiet. It probably won’t look like an hour of time alone with a cup of hot coffee in hand, with notebooks and systematic theology books close by. Mine usually includes a toddler trying to play with me, a baby starting to wake up, my breast pump, and cold coffee. It’s not Instagram-worthy, and that’s okay. Remember that this is a season. God sees and understands your heart.
- Prayer. I used to think that it wasn’t really “quiet time” or devotions unless it included Bible study. But the Bible says the Holy Spirit will bring scripture to our mind, and I’ve found that to be true. Even in my second pregnancy, there were days I could only pray, “Help me, help me, help me,” as my anxious thoughts and feelings of depression threatened to swallow me. Or some days, my prayers morphed into to-do lists. “My brain is going crazy today God,” I’ve confessed many mornings. He’s been understanding, gentle, and compassionate.
- Journaling. Here’s another tool to help with focus and noticing your thoughts. I’ve journaled my prayers for years, ever since I realized that it was the best way I could process my thoughts, express my emotions, and really talk to God. I find He talks back as well, when I give Him space to speak, and I’ll discover an answer to a problem as I write it all out.
- Worship music. When prayer and journaling aren’t available, try putting on some worship music. When my heart feels dry and hard, sometimes music is about the only thing that can sink in. It can totally change my perspective!
With those tips as the foundation, here are some specific tools you may find helpful for your own devotional quiet time:
Tools for Quiet Time
Apps
- Pray as You Go App. It doesn’t get much better than having someone read you scripture in an Irish accent! These daily audio devotionals are a ministry of Irish Jesuits, and follow the liturgical calendar. As a protestant, I’m not very familiar with the calendar or some of the prayers, but I really appreciate the fresh perspective. Each day’s devotional includes music to reflect on, a scripture reading followed by questions for reflection, the scripture reading repeated, and a closing prayer. I listen to this at least a few mornings a week.
- She Reads Truth App. This app not only has a digital Bible, but also includes devotional plans you can purchase and follow, and configure reminder notifications.
Books
- Jesus Calling. Beautifully written, thought provoking, and full of scripture, these short devotionals are written as if Jesus was talking directly to us.
- Jesus Lives. Written in the same style as Jesus Calling, Jesus Lives follows the same format with all new devotionals.
- Grace Laced. My sister bought this for me for my birthday last year, and not only is it GORGEOUS, it’s beautifully written as well! The devotionals are themed along each season, and the words were so perfectly timed to my life.
- Face to Face. Each day’s reading consists of scripture paraphrased into a prayer, with prompts for adding your own praise and requests.
Journals
1. Well Watered Women Journals. Gretchen Saffles, whose livestreamed devotionals were my saving grace in 2015, creates and sells beautiful products to help women spend time in the word. Her best seller is the “Give Me Jesus Journal.” The “Word before World” journal also looks wonderful!
2. Val Marie Prayer Journals. As she says, “It took that mush of a pregnancy brain from staring at blank walls during prayer time to mountain-moving sessions with God and a pregnancy and transition to motherhood that I could never have dreamed was possible.” I’ve given these as gifts, and they’re truly lovely! There’s one for pregnancy, adoption, and kids too.
Music
- Spotify playlists. When you’re going to appointments, just trying to rest while the baby is sleeping, or getting your toddler ready for school in the morning, put on some worship music. It sets the tone for the day or turns a bad day around.
- JJ Heller’s Lullabies. These are just as good for moms as they are for babies! We all need that reminder that things are going to be okay.
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Your turn! What apps, books, journals, or music has helped you? Share it in the comments below!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, see my full disclosure.
