Morning times with God fill me with joy and faith, but later on in the day traffic jams, lost library books, and leaky washing machines turn me into a hot mess faster than nobody’s business. During my quiet time I often sense God speaking. I feel peace. But during my hot mess times I whine, and I can’t for the life of me remember what I read in the Good Book that very morning.
Um, isn’t the Bible supposed to affect how I live my life? How is it that the same woman who heard God’s voice in the morning gripes at the kids for messing up the kitchen and snaps at her husband because the poor man left his tea bag in the WRONG saucer?
How can I carry what I read in the morning into the rest of my day?
I want the Holy Spirit to bring the Word to life in me. I don’t want to just read it; I want to live it. But how can I live it if I can’t even remember it?
That’s why I write down one verse each day.
We’ve heard about how we’re supposed to keep a spiritual journal. Only that sounds like something for nuns. Not for stressed-out, side-tracked, busy women like me who can’t seem to get it all together. Besides, keeping a spiritual journal intimidates me because what am I supposed to write, anyway?
What I can write is one Bible verse.
I call it spiritual journaling for the busy and distracted. Want to join me? Try these steps:
Write Down One Verse.
Last week I wrote about reading less and choosing one verse to focus on. I copy my verse and read it a few times. Then I do one of two things during my time with God:
Write a One Sentence Prayer
I take a few minutes to respond to what God is saying to me through the verse. Whether it’s a prayer of thanks or a request, I write one sentence in hopes that I’ll remember it later in the day. Here’s a snippet from my journal:
OR
Choose One Word
Now this is going to sound crazy, but it’s working for me. A friend suggested choosing ONE WORD from my one verse. So here’s what I’m doing:
- I read my verse several times and hone in on one word that sums it up.
- I write the word down and ask, “Lord, what do you want to say to me?”
- Then I jot down one or two thoughts that come to mind.
The last two weeks words like Wait, Glory, Welcome, Listen, and Believe have encouraged me. One word is easy to remember later on in the day.
Mind you, on many days I forget all about my verse. But on the days I remember? I have a default prayer I can lift up to God in hard moments, or just one word that sparks my thoughts toward what God spoke to me earlier. But even on days I forget, guess what I find in my notebook the next morning? Yesterday’s verse. It’s there waiting for me to read again.
Obviously writing a prayer or choosing a word doesn’t mean I’m putting it into practice. Only when I give the Holy Spirit full reign in my life am I empowered to resist the urge to snap and rev into explode mode when I see a towel on the bathroom floor. But I dare to hope that as I write it down day by day, God’s Word will gradually have its way in me.
Now it’s your turn: Ever have hot mess moments when the word of God goes out the window? What helps you to keep it present in your mind?
Are you facing the challenges of life on an empty tank? Need help renewing your relationship with God?
Want more ideas on how to get more out of time with God? Click on the image below to check out my book, More of God: A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times.
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Hello Betsy, I write a lot too. Thank you for sharing your tips. They are very helpful.
Your handwriting is beautiful😊
don’t we all have those hot mess days?
Joining you from Testimony Tuesday.
God bless
Thanks for being here today, Ifeoma. May the Lord bless your times in His Word!
I have those moments more than I want to admit. I love your suggestions, have got away from journaling and I definitely forget everything I read and prayed so early in the morning ;( I will give your suggestions a try!
Journalling consistently is SUCH a challenge, isn’t it? Yet I find it helps me so much. May the Lord bless your times with you and give you grace for the hard moments, Sister. Believe me, I understand!
I love this idea! Keep it simple so it’s easier to remember to keep with you all day. Will have to try this 🙂 Seems like a manageable and effective way to stay in God’s word, even amidst a busy, crazy day.
Glad it encourages you, Kathryn! May the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, even on the crazy busy days!
I have had many hot mess moments when God’s word flew from my mind. I still have those moments but am finding that when you center yourself on God first thing to start your day and make this a practice, you are better equipped to make it through the day. The more I do it the better my day seems to go. What you are doing in your journal is beautiful and will keep you going back to the word. Hope your week is blessed!
I love that idea of centering yourself, Mary. Oh, and I need to keep focusing on that all day! 🙂 Today my word was “serve” and I’ve had planty of opportunities to serve God in little ways, not all ways I planned! 🙂
Betsy, there is no sidebar on my phone or anywhere to plug in my email address. So I will give it here so I won’t lose you!
Thanks for the great material!
Hey there Robin, I just plugged your email in. Sorry it’s not on your phone. I probably need to look into that. 🙂 You should receive something in your inbox that you’ll need to confirm.
Great suggestion, Betsy! I especially love the one-word recommendation. I have friends who journal, and I’ve been awful at every attempt at it. I can do this one-word thing! Visiting today at #RaRaLinkup.
Yes, you can do the one-word thing! But no pressure. Journalling isn’t for everyone. 🙂 Be free! 🙂
Betsy, I love this idea! I usually keep track of several verses in a Word document each day (because the Word of God always seems to be my best inspiration for writing material), but this idea of yours to keep a notebook and reflect on one verse or word each day…I love. I think that I might just have to try it. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! 🙂
What you’re doing sounds good too, Brenda. Maybe I’ll give it a try. I’m always up for freshness in my quiet time!
Betsy, what great tips! Both are simple to do and will definitely help remember throughout the day. I journal a lot each morning, but I like the idea of highlighting one word that stands out. Sometimes I have so much written down, it is easy to forget a lot of it.
One thing that has been a great blessing for me is memorizing scripture. After a mission trip years ago I made a determined effort to memorize at least one verse a week and did so for a long time. I was amazed over and over how God would bring those verses to my mind at just the moment they were needed. The last couple of years I’ve let that discipline slip. But this very morning, I made scripture cards for the verses I had memorized previously to start reviewing again. (Reviewing is so important!)
Fortunately, I had placed all my memory verses in http://www.ScriptureTyper.com. And they are still there, ready to review again. I love this app! I recommend it highly to anyone who is wanting to memorize scripture.
Thanks, Betsy, for encouraging me!
Thanks so much for your comment, Sabra. Do you know I’ve kind of let scripture memory slip too. For several years I was very faithful to it and was so encouraged by having the word “ready” in my mind. I want to go back to it. I’ve heard great things about scripture typer. Will have to have a look.
Another great article following on from last week 🙂 taking these thoughts into my summer bible readings x
Thank you, Tania. Blessings on your summer reading.
What beautiful simplicity. I do something very similar to this every morning and it has changed my days. I’m not a great at journaling, but bible verses are one of the things that I can manage to get down. Thank you for sharing!
I’d love to know what you do, Kaylie. I’m not so good at journaling either, but a Bible verse? I can write it down!
Love this idea, Betsy! And yes, I need to have a go-to prayer that I can remember in those daily struggles:) I’m starting today writing one scripture and a one-sentence prayer. Thanks for the idea!
Yes, I needed it today, Kristine. My word was “serve.” And I prayed along the lines of being willing to do whatever God wanted. Then today an opportunity to SERVE in a capacity I didn’t really want came up!!!! So I had to go back to that word “serve.” God is patient with me.
Absolutely beautiful and practical. (And I loved seeing Temmuz/July on your bilingual calendar. I don’t have nearly enough appreciation for the world of cross-cultural God-followers.)
I have a habit of carrying a verse in my pocket, scribbled on a 3×5 card — until it disintegrates, or I succeed in memorizing it — or until I wash it by mistake. . .
The notecard idea is a good one. I’ve written verses down, but never succeed in carrying them around with me and actually LOOKING at them. I might have to give that another try. 🙂
Wow I wish my handwriting was as good as yours – i wrote about keeping a prayer journal but I was pretty sure no one wanted to see my chicken scratch!!! Lol!
Anyhoo, I LOVE this concept! Choosing one verse and one word from it to remember throughout the day (and what comes along with it)!
Thanks for sharing a bit of your mornings with us, dear Betsy!
Yes Ruthie, brain-challenged, distracted cases like me have an easier time remembering ONE WORD. Today mine is MERCY! 🙂 And for the record, I’d LOVE to see your chicken scratch. 🙂
I try and keep my gratitude journal nearby- recording 1000 gifts Ann Voskamp style- am up to over 700 and it usually snaps me out of my grumpy places. Sometimes I just take a deep breath, pause and actively align my spirit with Gods. This is good stuff. Thanks for sharing on #RaRaLinkUp.
Yes, Astrid! That helps me so much. Did you read Ann’s post about the weeds in her garden? I thought it was so beautiful and helpful. I love cultivating gratitude. http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/07/when-your-plans-dont-turn-out-at-all-what-turns-out-to-be-the-actual-case/
Great suggestions. Beautiful blog.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Betsy! We are on the same page this week, as I wrote about asking ‘why’. I think that word is the essence of whining!
I think it’s a great idea to write down a key phrase or word from Scripture. It’s all meant for our instruction, we don’t have to read large sections, and it’s probably better not to. Slowly, quietly making your way through the Word sounds like a wonderful way to have it really soak in. That’s what we all want!
Blessings,
Ceil
Interesting thought, Ceil. That why is the essence of whining. Hmm. Need to think about that. 🙂 May the Lord bless you and renew your mind as you make your way through His word.
Great ideas again, Betsy. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading, Jeannie. I appreciate you.
Betsy – Thank you for sharing and for including pictures of your journaling – I love the one word idea!!! visiting from #RaRalinkup
One word is all this poor mind can remember some days, Debbie. Blessings to you!
These are such wonderful ideas, Betsy. I want to live the Word too, not just read it. I have found that writing those verses helps me remember them throughout the day. I’m going to try writing the prayer, too. Thanks for sharing.
May God renew your spirit, friend, as you get back from vacation and get ready for She Speaks! Are you preparing anything to take?
What practical application, Betsy, thanks for encouraging women around the world to be authentic and to pursue the Lord!
Thanks, Joanna. Hope you’re enjoying your furlough.
Like you, I try to prevent more hot mess moments by keeping His Word at the forefront of my mind. I choose a verse a week to memorize and keep it with me at all times. Since I teach, I frame the verse and keep it on my desk as a reminder to seek God before I respond to students or parents. I love your idea of choosing one word to focus on. Joining you from #TellHisStory today.
Choosing a verse a week! I love that, Debbie, especially the part about keeping it in a frame. Sometimes I choose a verse to memorize, but I write it on the card and never see the card again! So I like having it out and visible.
This is so awesome and yet so practical, Betsy! I’m so glad you shared this… I’ve been looking for a better way to get scripture into me so that it comes alive!
May God bless your times in the Word, Christine! Oh, how I need to get His Word into ME! I’m telling ya! 🙂
Betsy, I love the Spiritual Journaling for the Busy and Distracted, great stuff! Beautiful way you shared how you dig deep into scripture. Such a great way to study the Word!
Thanks so much Doris. I’m pretty distracted myself, so I figure if I can do this, anyone can!
Betsy,
Thanks for sharing wisdom 🙂 One word and/or one verse…as an anchor…blessings to you 🙂
Oh we do need those anchors, don’t we Dolly? Thanks for your kind words.
Oh it is lovely to hear that I am not the only one who can have a lovely quiet time with God, and still be mean to my family soon after 🙂 Keeping one word or verse in mind all day to chew on is such a good idea. So convicting when that comes to mind in a ‘mean’ moment, thanks Betsy x
NO, you’re NOT the only one, Victoria. I’m a case, let me tell you! Thanks so much for reading today. I am honored. 🙂
Love this, Betsy! Sharing with my online prayer group.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Lyli. I appreciate you.
This is a great idea, Betsy! I’m going to do it…I used to have a prayer journal, but, it has fallen by the wayside when things get overwhelming. However, choosing one verse, one word, one prayer…is a great idea! Thanks!
Blessings, Joan
P.S. Lyli Dunbar posted the link to this post and I’m so happy I followed it! 🙂
Thanks for reading, Joan. Life does get overwhelming, but I can remember ONE WORD. 🙂 I’m praying now that God will refresh you in your times with Him.
I love this Betsy! I journal but I can see that this would be application carried with me through the day. Oh, this will be especially good in the next few weeks as my calendar gets super busy and I *need* the Word dwelling in me richly. Thank you, thank you for your encouragement today.
I hope your times in the Word will be blessed during busy upcoming weeks. I can relate to that. I have a busy month ahead too. We need to get God’s Word IN! 🙂
Ah! Its one of my most favorite things to do each day also! Some mornings I write the Scripture that is included in the devotional I’m reading. Other times its something that i go digging for because I desperately need it! 🙂
I found your blog from the Grace and Truth link up! Glad to meet ya!
Thanks so much for coming by from Grace and Truth, Kela! Glad to meet you too. Yes, we desperately need God’s Word.I do most days!
Great idea! I love this system and the one word focus. Your posts always bless me. 🙂
Hi! It’s my first time to your site. This is just what I needed to read today. I had been thinking earlier today that I need to take a different approach to my morning Bible Study as I seem to be getting mired down. This is just the ticket! My life is so busy and I’m so overwhelmed and there is so much I want to do. That is a problem – it makes focusing on which study exhausting. More ideas are showing up in my inbox everyday. For now, a simplified approach is what I need for my morning Bible Study and Prayer time. I thank the Lord for guiding you to write this post and share on your blog. I look forward to focusing on one verse, maybe even one word of a verse tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m praying for you now, Pam. I know that information overload is such a real problem in our modern lives, makes it harder to focus on God’s voice, doesn’t it? I pray you’ll have blessed times in God’s Word and that you’ll hear His voice.
Thank you so much for the tips. I like it. I write my Bible verses on colored sticky notes and stick them on the kitchen cabinet that hangs over my two sinks for washing dishes. So I see them every day …
I’m glad you liked the tips, Ariella. Writing down your verses on colored sticky notes is a good idea. I spend lots of time at the kitchen sink, so that would work for me too!
Love these suggestions, Betsy! I’m going to have to try this! I have verses written down that I am trying to memorize but I hadn’t thought of using just one verse as a way of journaling and praying. Thanks for the tips.
May God give you rich times in His Word, Holly! You inspire me with that scripture memory!
Betsy, what excellent suggestions! I like how focusing on less helps you to dive deeper into the scripture itself and apply it to your own life. I’m going to feature this in tomorrow’s Grace and Truth! Thanks!
Jen 🙂
Hello Betsy,
Thank you for these fantastic ideas on keeping God close throughout the day! I came over via purposeful faith to read Abby’s post and then I was curious to see who she was guest posting and here i am! I have found that writing down scriptures really helps me in keeping God’s word close to my heart. I sometimes write a scripture down that impacts me while reading and I continue reading it every day after my quiet time. It has help me memorize some and one verse became the “mission” verse for my blog! Colossians 1:10. I am so encouraged as I see and meet other Christians sharing their faith in their blogs! Thank you again for allowing me to visit. May God continue to bless you and yours in all your endeavors!
Thanks so much for reading my post, Horace. Your encouragement means a lot. That is a great idea to read the same verse every day after your regular Bible reading. I sometimes do that too. Blessings on your life and ministry. Just followed you on Twitter!
You’re words are speaking to my heart. This is a huge battle for me and I have felt guilty because I don’t remember what I read a lot of times. I have littles ones ( 6 & 3) and I just blow my top too often. If I am supposed to be the first example of Jesus to my littles as a stay at home mom then I want to be able to remember his teachings throughout the day!
I’m praying for you now, Nikki! The last thing you need when you can’t remember what you read in the morning is to feel guilty! May the Lord give you grace with your kids and with yourself. Blowing your top is easy. May He fill you with Holy Spirit power to be a light in your home.
I’ve found too that just writing a verse a day is so powerful (when I remember 😉
I really appreciate your idea of turning just that verse into a prayer. I’ll be incorporating that in, thanks!
Blessings, Christa. May God’s Word and Spirit work powerfully in you as you pray!
I am 65 and still need the kind of discipline you talk about here. I applaud you for being faithful to seek God and with one word or verse try to obey one day at a time
Thanks for your encouragement, Gail. Glad to connect with you here.
I know this post is from several months ago but it’s so, so good. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks, Arabah. Blessings to you, friend.
Love this Betsy! I’m all about reading and applying scripture so this truly speaks to my heart!
Thank you for sharing!
Glad if it spoke to you Lillian. Thanks for reading!
What a great article, Betsy! I love the idea of going from a passage to a verse to a word!
I’ve been studying this way on reverse. I’ve been working my way through the concordance, one word at a time. Then I get one verse for the day.
Appreciate you and your ministry. Thank you for always pointing people to the Word and to the Lord!
Oh thank you, Melanie. That means so much coming from you, friend. May the Lord reveal Himself to us both through His word.
A few years ago I began reading through Proverbs each month. There are 31 chapters which fit perfectly into each month. (I also make sure I read the extra chapters on those shorter months) That means every year you will have read this book of wisdom 12 times. I find that rereading these verses has helped me when I am having one of those moments. Keeping a journal also helps to reflect on what I have read. I like the idea of focusing in one word that stands out.
That is a great idea, Yvonne. Thanks for sharing. I’ve read a Psalm most days for the past 20+ years. Life-changing. I’m sure Proverbs have taught you so much.
Thanks for sharing!! God bless you…
Thanks for sharing your ideas. God bless you!
Blessings on your time with God, Anna Rose!
Thank you for this I am easily distracted and have been wanting to Journl but felt as if it needed to be paragraphs or pages long!!!
I’m glad if this helps, Lea. I know what you mean about feeling like it’s got to be a whole page, hopefully of something profound! LOL. I can NEVER get around to that!
Thanks for this. I am going to try this. I’ve always wanted to journal. But I never know what to write. So this helps. I teach but I am not a writer. Your tips are easy to follow and I will keep reading your website thanks. God is so good. Thanks again
Thanks so much for reading, Jayne and letting me know your thoughts. May the Lord bless your time with Him.
I needed this! Thank you for sharing. We all get caught up in the busyness off life. It’s a jungle out there and often find ourselves lost trying to find our way home. Your technique will most definitely be the map to keep us in the right track.
I”m glad if this helps you, Lourdes. Blessings!
I think that the ideas you shared are wonderful. I am determined to make this a daily part of my life. I want the WORD, to live in me so that I can reflect it to others. Thank you so much.
So glad if this helps you, Terry!
Hi, Betsy, I’ve truly enjoyed the one word, and how to apply it to my every day life. You see, I can’t remember anything I read, since I journal EVERYTHING. It helps me learn and understand. I have been doing a Bible Study on my own. Spiritual Warfare, I’m in awe, I’ve learnt a lot. I’m so hungry for God’s Word. I usually stay up all night long. But, reading your one verse, one word, makes me all excited to do. I have a close friend I’m meeting tomorrow, and can’t wait to share with her your gift of helping it to be easier. Betsy, I don’t know exactly how I stumbled on this. It’s not a stumble, it is our Heavenly Father who guided me to you. Thank you Lord and Bless you Betsy. You may have changed my learning in a much easier way. I just about read all the wonderful comments. I’m so Bless to have found you. May Our Heavenly Father continue to Bless you , as you Bless us. Amen
Aw, Patsy. I appreciate your encouragement, friend. May the Lord bless you and reveal Himself to you as you study His Word. I’m working on a book right now, which will come out some time after the new year. It’s about how distracted women (like me!) can have more meaningful quiet times. Stay tuned on the blog for more details.
Thank you. That’s me too. Though my hot mess is often worry and sometimes anxiety. I have devotional readings for mornings. But often they are long gone the moment I finish reading them and I do nothing about what I learn. If I need to pray in a focused manner I have to write it out. Or my prayer is completely sidetracked and unfocused. I should just take the devotional and write out the key verse and word like you did. I long to make my devotional times more intimate and restoring but they keep getting less focus and priority as time goes on. Then I get worried I don’t have a relationship with God any more. I just found this on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing.
Laura Jean, my heart goes out to you, friend. I totally get what you’re saying. I’m praying for you now, friend. May the Lord reassure you that you DO have a relationship with Him.
I just came across this and I feel as though the Lord is confirming to me the concept of simplifying. I hope this will help me! I feel like a bee, buzzing from one idea to another and not staying long enough, persevering with one thing, to have it make a difference in my life. I am reading right now Elyse Fitzpatrick’s book, Found In Him, and now I want to read all about Jesus in my Bible, but I get so distracted by other issues so I flit from subject to subject, book to book. I’m not really learning anything or growing in Him as I do this. Any suggestions?
Val, I’m praying for you now as you attempt to simplify and clarify your spiritual life, friend. I know what you mean about going from book to book. The best thing I’d suggest if you want to read about Jesus is go through one of the gospels, like John or Mark, and read a short passage of eat each day, praying that God will speak. I like to keep a log by writing down one verse each day. Later I like to look back and remember how God spoke to me.
Hi Betsy I shared this post with a friend and he’s loving this technique for spending time with God and meditating on and getting personal messages from God through scripture. Thank you ! I shared a link to this post on my facebook page for Lectio Divina to try and spread your technique. I hope that’s ok, if not please let me know and I’;ll remove the link. Thank you !!! Deirdre
Hey there, Deirdre! I hope you are well. Yes, that is great by me if you shared this with your friend and on your Facebook page! I appreciate you, friend!
Dear thank a lot for sharing it’s all that I was looking to help me grow in my life in following Jesus and it sims God has chosen one ward from the verse to focus on ,because for many years as I have been trying several ways to make my faith in God ,I get so busy and districted and many times I was discouraged but end up with frustration, thanks for sharing your expirence to encourage me
I am so glad if this encouraged you, Monica. May the Lord encourage you as you take small steps to focus on His Word and what He is saying to you each day, my friend!