Hungry and thirsty for righteousness: seeking God in the midst of busy motherhood

One of the biggest challenges in my walk with the Lord since becoming a mum has been working out how to have time with Him.

Prior to having children, I would usually have a good amount of (or at least some) time each morning with Him - it was just a habit that I got into from a young age (which I’m very thankful for!). It was a wonderful season where I grew so much and I’m sure it set me up for life.

However, once a needy little person came along, who didn’t seem to be aware of my daily routine, I really struggled to keep that going. Mornings looked very different, lack of sleep was obviously a big factor, and whilst I would sometimes manage to fit a quiet time in before she woke up, it was very variable, depending on that night, the stage of development she was in and also my husband’s shift patterns.

I used to beat myself up about it a lot and feel that I wasn’t giving God my best by not giving Him that same time in the morning, and perhaps subconsciously even felt He disapproved of me because of this.

I felt frustrated by people who would tell me ‘God understands’, ‘It’s hard when you’ve got kids - don’t worry, I only get 2 minutes here and there’. All of these were well-meaning consolations but they didn’t resolve the fact that I actually WANTED time with God, not to mention the fact I knew that my soul desperately needed it!

Over the last 2 years though, I have slowly come to realise that it’s less about the actual circumstances and much more about my heart.

I still prefer the days when the kids sleep well, I manage to creep out of bed before they wake up and have a solid chunk of time with God before the day starts (like this morning!).

But I have also known God speak to me and give me revelation in moments when there is a crying child at my feet, tiredness is overwhelming and I feel I have nothing to give others, let alone Him. In those moments His voice has unmistakably whispered into my heart and reminded me of the truth that is written in His word.

Because the fact of the matter is God is not limited by my circumstances - but He is limited by my heart.

I could have all the time for Him in the world, but if my heart isn’t hungry, I won’t receive from Him. On the other hand, even in less than ideal circumstances, if my heart is truly hungry He will meet me wherever I am and in whatever capacity I need.

In fact, that’s exactly what Jesus says in His sermon on the Mount, where He tells His listeners that ‘blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled’ (Matt 5:6).

Do you notice that word ‘shall’? This is a guarantee - it is something that is going to happen.

But there is a prerequisite in place. In order to be filled, there needs to be a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

If we’re really honest with ourselves, do we find ourselves hungry for this? I know I often don’t. The deceptively attractive but disappointingly empty offerings that the world puts in front of us- TV shows, social media, approval from others, approval from our spouse even, thoughts of ‘what if life was…’ are so often what I turn to when I feel hungry.

Just as junk food feels good initially but leaves us wanting more (and feeling bloated/bad about ourselves) an hour or so later, so do these pleasures when they are used to try and fill the hole inside of us.

Instead of consuming what is bad- if not toxic- for us, the apostle Peter commends us to be like newborn babies in our hunger for the word:

“…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭2

Has it occurred to you that newborn babies only crave one thing? There is no whining for snacks, no sweet tooth. Nope. All they want is that incredibly tasty, nutritious, life giving milk. And guess what? That’s exactly what their bodies need!

We are to desire God’s word in the same way- as if there was nothing else for us to consume. Or at least nothing else that will provide us with any of the spiritual nutrition and satisfaction that we need.

Unfortunately as we grow up, we start becoming aware of unhealthier things to consume that feel good to us in the moment but don’t actually do our bodies -or souls- any good. And guess what these things lead to? The opposite of life- ultimately to death.

Peter lists some of the attitudes that grow as a result of us consuming such things in the preceding verse:

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking…(1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬)

Not a very nice list, hey? But I can definitely think of times when my heart has exhibited all of them.

The harsh reality is we can’t consume the pure milk of God's word whilst these attitudes are residing within our hearts.

Just as we have to stop consuming junk food in order to be satisfied by healthy, wholesome food, so too we need to rid ourselves of unrighteousness in order to hunger and thirst for righteousness.

In order to receive from the pure milk of God’s word we have to lay the influences of the world to one side and purify our hearts.

Perhaps you have good intentions of reading through a Bible plan or giving God more of your time each day (none of which are bad ideas by the way- in fact I would urge you to make this a daily priority if you can!), but let’s remember that God is able to fill us.

The only thing that will get in His way is our hunger and thirst for him- or lack thereof.

And if we are finding that are souls crave the things of the world more than the things of God, maybe it’s time to take a hard look at what we are consuming and start making a plan to ‘lay aside all filthiness’ so we can consume the pure milk of the word.

Once we rid ourselves of unrighteousness, we will find our hearts very hungry and thirsty. And guess who promises to fill us? That’s right- the very Bread of Life and the Living Water himself- the one who promises that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be filled.

Let’s be filled by him today!

P.S just to add, I’m absolutely not suggesting that we shouldn’t make daily time for God. Quite the opposite - I know that the days (and seasons of life) when I have the luxury of proper time with God on a regular basis I feel so much more fuelled up for my day. I would strongly encourage all women who are in a season of life where regular, interrupted time with God is possible to take advantage of this huge blessing, and also to encourage young mamas to continue to strive to make this a priority wherever we can. What I am saying though, is that His ability to meet my spiritual needs is not dependent on the exact format in which I meet Him. He is not less pleased with me because I haven’t managed to get up early enough, written in my journal, stayed on track with my Bible in a year plan, or whatever other goals and expectations I may have. He is solely pleased by my hunger and desire for Him.