The following “Question” was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and “Answered” by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 70-24, titled “Questions and Answers Part 52.”  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©2003. All Rights Reserved.

Questioner

My question tonight is something I’ve been really, really wrestling with, is really been a real problem for me: balancing my time. Balancing my time. I’m a stay-at-home Mom, I was a home-schooling my son, and with all the responsibility as a wife, mom, home, everything, teaching my son, be a good steward, yet, my house is kind of out of order, and just all the responsibilities. Balancing the time, not just with respect to that, but with my time with God. My problem is, I’ve been, for six years at least, asking the Lord, “Lord, please, give me a schedule, something where I know I can have a set time that I can spend with You.” Just 30 minutes or something, and every time I get up at four in the morning [or if] I get up way late at night, something always interrupts. The baby will wake up, my son will wake up, something every single time. And, I just want to know, is it God wanting me to keep enduring, persevering, or is it some sin that I’ve committed that I can’t seem to get that time I want with the Lord?

John MacArthur's Answer

Well, let me answer this. I don’t know the purposes of God that are hidden in secret, but I do know He has a plan for you, and it’s for good and not for evil, because that’s His heart toward you. And, I do know the immediate plan is to love Him with all your heart, and take care of your family, and that’s the priority. And, you are first and foremost, responsible to care for and nurture and raise your little ones in the things of Christ, and to give your life to them. This may not be a time when you’re going to have a lot of opportunity. There are a lot of moms who have three, four, five kids, and trying to carve out that time, and stay awake during that time. It’s a real challenge. But, this is a time in your life. This is a season in your life. Just keep the fight up. Keep the battle up. And, get what you can, but don’t condemn yourself when you’re giving yourself to your children.

Your role, as a godly woman, is to care for your husband and your children. And, believe me, if you do that, to the honor of Christ, the Lord will fill in the spiritual gaps. And, it really falls upon your husband to take up the challenge to be your discipler and to take all the opportunity that he can to give you the spiritual input that you need in this process.

This is a season in your life when you give yourself to these precious little ones, and you give yourself to your husband. I would suggest that you find a friend and determine that you’re going to do something together, to study together, and talk everyday about your progress, kind of like a buddy system. So, that you have some point of accountability with somebody else. And, if you need some personal help on tools and how to go about that, Kerry Hardy, right behind you, is the expert on all of that stuff, so, you can see him. Okay. God Bless you guys.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's “MacArthur's Questions and Answers” by:

Tony Capoccia
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