Sleepless Nights, Sacred Moments, & the Everyday Pursuit of His Presence, written by Judy Cabal

Being a mom is a full-time role, filled with endless tasks and responsibilities. Amidst the busyness, finding time for Jesus can be both challenging and enriching. I mean, how many of you can recall the stage as a new parent or the stage as a parent with a newborn? Man, those sleepless nights were no joke! I have yet to meet a mom who will say they miss those “sleepless nights.” But amid your exhaustion, you feel so enriched, just being able to hold and embrace the precious life that God allowed you to birth.

If you’re in this stage currently, you’re probably wondering, “How is it even possible to spend time in God’s Word when you’re so sleep-deprived?” You know that all things are possible with the Lord — but — did He consider us mothers and our 1-2 hours of sleep during those months? Did the Lord consider that while everybody else’s day was about to begin, we were finally feeling our energy drained and depleted?

My dear mom friend, I can say with confidence and as a mom of four, that yes, God did consider us and our sleepless nights, drained energy, and tears that flowed because we felt so inadequate to live out this role of motherhood.

Or maybe your current stage is: you get home from a long day of work only to be met with more work—preparing dinner, helping the kids with homework and projects, bringing them to practices, and getting to the end of the night, feeling so exhausted. You think to yourself, “I thought I would have a break after all the kids were officially in school but instead, I was just met with another kind of exhaustion.”

I’m here to tell you that I was there and I know how you feel. I have three kiddos who are in school, and one is still at home while I work part-time outside. I pray that whatever is said (or read) on this post would be an encouragement to you.

Today, my third daughter asked me what my best decision was.

Without hesitation, I responded with, “Knowing and accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior.”

She continued, “What was the second best?”

I replied, “Marrying Daddy.”

Lastly, she asked, “What was the third best?

Problem:

We live in a society that has prioritized careers over children. Please do not misunderstand me if you do have a career. What I mean is, the importance children once had in our society is now replaced with the importance of having a career. I’ve met many who chose not to have children, claiming they were too expensive, but enjoy spending their money on other “expensive” things. I think what many of these mothers didn’t want to admit was that children are work. And I say that unashamedly. It takes a lot of work, time, and money to raise children. And at times, we’ve probably considered them “inconveniences.”

But what does God’s Word say about children?

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” – Psalm 127:3

This verse emphasizes that children are a gift from God; they’re not just an inheritance, but a reward. They are a blessing and a sign of God's favor. (If you don’t have kids yet or are not able to have children, I hope that you will stick with me and still glean something from this post.) And please know that not having children does not mean that you do not have God’s favor.

I understand that times have changed, and what it took for one income to accomplish in previous generations is almost unheard of today. But God’s Word does not change. It can stand the tests of time and economic pressures. So why have our priorities shifted or changed? Is it possible that our perspective on God or His Word has changed? Highly possible.

2050 Vision

Where do you see yourself in 2050? I know it’s such a random year and one that seems too far into the distance. But in 2050, I will be 60 YEARS OLD! How old will you be?

In 2050, all the little children or older children that have been entrusted to our care will be adults. In 2050, we can determine if we stewarded these precious children wisely.

Although the future of the church is ultimately up to the Lord, He desires to use us to carry out and continue His work.

This is a sobering thought, especially as a parent. When I finally understood my God-given role as a parent, it helped me to become more serious about what I did as a mother. It helped me be more intentional about my God and my walk with Him. I wasn’t just living for myself. My actions would affect those around me, and more importantly, my family.

“We must consider both the moment we are in and the mission we are on.”

Finding Time for Jesus

If you want to find time for Jesus, you’ll find it—because we don’t really find time to do what matters to us—we make time.

The best way to start is to determine your bigger purpose.

Some say, “I’ll make time for Jesus because I love Him.” Others need more. And I understand—motivation and inspiration can be temporary.

But people need to be met where they are.

Jesus did that. He didn’t wait for people to come to Him. He went to them. He met the outcasts, the forsaken, the least of these.

If Jesus, who is also God, met people where they were, we, too, ought to meet our children where they are. Our children are not robots meant to be bossed around. They are souls made in the image of God and opportunities for us to demonstrate His love and eventually point them to His saving grace.

And that will be difficult to do if we are not filling up on God and His Word. That will be frustrating to do if we view our children as distractions. That will be exhausting to do if we are doing it on our own strength.

The Bigger Purpose

Our children should see who the One True God is in us and through us—and eventually come to know Him personally. It’s never been harder to raise children, simply because of the daily worldly distractions. But it’s also never been easier to access resources to help us raise children who know and fear God.

We have children being raised by the internet, peers, and culture. Where are the parents?

If you’re reading this, I believe you’re one of the parents who desires to embrace this role and steward your children well.

“If our young people are going to thrive in digital Babylon, they have to move beyond familiarity with Jesus to a place of intimacy.” – Barna

We cannot eliminate the digital world, but we can teach our children to influence it for Christ.

And if we want to point our children to Truth, we must possess that Truth. We cannot give what we do not have.

How do we possess it? By knowing Jesus and building a relationship with Him.

1. Prioritize with Purpose

As a mom, you hold the sacred role of being your child’s first teacher. By making Jesus central to your life, you're creating a ripple effect that will echo through generations. Understanding the value of your influence can inspire the intentional inclusion of spiritual practices in your daily routine. What if instead of dreading motherhood, we embraced it? What if, instead of seeing God’s commandments as burdens, we pursued them joyfully? How would our lives, culture, and world change?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” — Ecclesiastes 12:13

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, came to the end of his life and realized how flawed he was. Despite having everything he could want, he chose to forsake truth and let his fear of God slip away, resulting in the loss of God's favor.

As a Christian mom, are your priorities right? Are they purposeful? Are you prioritizing Jesus with a wholehearted heart?

What happens when you seek God wholeheartedly?

You will find Him. Deuteronomy 4:29 - “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
You will have God’s hand upon you. Ezra 8:22b - “…The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him.”
You will be rewarded. Hebrews 11:6b - “…and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

How can you model a relationship with Jesus for your children every day? What steps do you need to take to seek God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?

Your decision matters—not only for your own well-being but also for those entrusted to you.

Of course, anything worth doing requires sacrifice and admitting our humanity. This brings us to the next point: Reflect and Recharge.

2. Reflect and Recharge

Everyone has their own way to recharge. Just as a vehicle needs fuel, we need spiritual refueling. We weren't meant to go on our own; we need the Holy Spirit’s filling. Every moment spent in reflection and stillness refills your spiritual well. Without it, our wells dry up. Jesus is the Living Water that never runs out. When you pause to listen to God's whispers, you're not only renewing your spirit but also teaching your children the importance of reflection in a chaotic world.

Stand in awe of God: Psalm 4:4 - Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Actively Rest in God: Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.
Confide and be strengthened in God: Isaiah 30:15 - In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

In a world competing for our attention, it’s vital to pause, reflect, and remember that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Rest in God's presence.

Often, we feel overwhelmed because we’re underwhelmed with God.
“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” – Psalm 61:2

When was the last time you reflected on God’s goodness? Recognizing His goodness allows us to pour out His blessings to others. It goes back to filling up before pouring out. Nobody can function effectively on empty.

Every day is a spiritual battlefield, and as a mom, it’s essential to approach each day with intentionality. The enemy doesn’t want you to pray, be still, or share the blessings God has given you.

When we fail to honor God, we stifle His favor. Pursuing God's presence is non-negotiable. Without Him, I feel empty and aimless, but with His presence, I find rest, joy, and peace.

Exodus 33:14-15 - "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."

In God's presence, you will find love, joy, and rest. The world desperately needs authentic rest, and we as believers have access to it—but are we embracing it or neglecting it?

3. Integrate with Intention

There’s a specific Bible that, when I’m without it, I feel "naked"—for lack of a better word. It’s my favorite Bible, gifted to me, and it has marked me in ways I’ve not marked it. I can’t imagine not having God’s Word so easily accessible, yet countless people around the world would risk everything just to have even a portion. Many of us in the States, and in other places, have multiple copies of God's Word in our homes.

But my relationship with Christ changed from “religion to relationship” when I began intentionally reading, studying, and seeing Christ in every page.

By weaving God’s Word into daily life, you plant seeds that can transform your family's hearts and home. Let every interaction and activity be an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love and wisdom, creating lasting memories and building enduring faith.

Are you weaving those “teachable moments” in your everyday life using God’s Word? Or is it just another book to you? What you do with God’s Word, and how you let it impact you will greatly influence how it impacts your children. Whether you believe it or not, your children are always watching. I grew up hearing people say, “You may be the only walking Bible that someone will read.” That stuck with me, and I believe it now more than ever.

As a mom of four, I know for sure my children are watching me. That fact can either discourage me or encourage me, and I choose to be encouraged. I have the privilege of being used by God (WOW!) to point these four precious souls to Him, not just for salvation, but for sanctification as well. I get to show them the God who saved me, who loves me unconditionally, and who has demonstrated His favor in my lifetime and again. The same God can do that—and more—for them.

Momma, your actions, which may seem monotonous or mediocre, can become powerful testimonies to your children. One of the best things about failing as a mom (or as a human) is that, through our imperfections, we can point others to the perfect God.

As a mom, finding time for Jesus requires intentional effort but carries eternal significance for you and your children. Embrace the journey of faith as you navigate motherhood, trusting God to guide you each step of the way.

I want to end with a lesson from the story of the Israelites.

The history of the Israelites shows the impact of obedience and disobedience on future generations. When they obeyed God, they were blessed beyond measure. But their disobedience often brought challenges, not only for themselves but for their children and grandchildren. Their legacy reminds us of the importance of walking in God’s ways.

As a mom, your choices and actions set the spiritual tone for your family. Just as the Israelites' fate depended on their obedience to God, so does your family's spiritual journey. Leading by example builds a solid spiritual foundation.

Envision the legacy of faith you wish to leave behind. By engaging with Scripture and prioritizing an authentic relationship with Jesus, you are crafting a blessed narrative for your children's future.

Deuteronomy 6:7 | Deuteronomy 12:28 | Deuteronomy 28:1-2

Let the story of the Israelites remind you that your spiritual negligence today can lead to generations of cursing, but your spiritual diligence today can lead to generations of blessings. The choice is ours to make for the future of our children.

Making Time for Jesus as a Christian Mom