Better Habits for a Better Mom - a poem

My children were young when I recognized some bad habits creeping into my life. Nothing terribly sinful by the world’s standards, perhaps, but I was growing weary from sleep deprivation and lazy from a lack of accountability. Though I never meant to let things into my life that would distract me from my faith or family, I realized that without good habits I wouldn’t be able to keep my priorities in place.

More than good habits, I needed godly habits—holy habits.

One day, as our children napped, I sat down with a pad of paper to write a list of the things I wanted to do and the boundaries I needed to set for myself.

I can see myself sitting at the kitchen table that day, looking at the “craft cupboard” door slightly ajar because it was too jam-packed with fun supplies to close completely. Sticker books and puzzles were shoved in there too. Little Men, Charlotte’s Web, and the Children’s Storybook Bible were on a small table in the corner of our kitchen nook. It was plain to see that I was already doing many of the things I wrote on my list, but other things were going to take intentional, purposeful work. I don’t recall how many days or months passed before I set that list to verse, but eventually, I did. I titled my poem “Holy Habits.”

First thing in the morning, when the dark sky’s turning light,

I wake up and I whisper, “Thank you, God, for my sweet night.”

I crawl out from my covers and trod to the kitchen where

I see my faithful Bible sitting on the table there.

My teapot’s ready-waiting to make the water sing,

So I start the kettle heating and before my King I bring

My prayers and petitions, my praises and my fears,

And by the time the water’s hot, I feel His presence near.

When my time with Him has ended, I go to gently rouse

My family from their slumber, then I serve my breakfast crowd.

Once we’ve cleared the dishes, and every child has said “Thanks, Mom!”

I send them to their bedrooms to get their school clothes on.

The taxi shuttle (that's my van) takes us everywhere.

It’s broken down a time or two, but most often gets us there.

At the curb we pray together, before they jump outside.

Days are hard on little ones, so I ask God to be on their side.

Now before I continue, I’ve simply got to say

These things I do aren’t natural, I just practice them every day.

I used to wake and groan, “Oh, my back, it hurts even after my rest”;

But I noticed that those first words colored my day with a verbal mess.

So listen to this story with ears purposed to hear what I say.

I’m not better than you, I just made habits that promote a holier day.

Holiness isn’t natural; selfishness, entitlement, strife

Are the things that come more easily to this honest mom and wife.

So back to my day and the choices I make, I hope that you’ll listen up.

If choices aren’t made purposefully, I guarantee you’re going to get stuck:

Stuck on the couch eating cookie dough or scrolling through your phone;

Sneaking onto the porch with a glass of wine, because you long for time alone.

During the hours it’s just the kids and me, with my husband working and gone,

I keep my hands busy with hard work—Proverbs 31 says they ought to be strong.

I make an effort to avoid the traps that so easily lure us away,

TV shows and computer screens, when there are children who want me to play.

I purposed to try new recipes and hit the gym a time or two,

And I purposed to send an encouraging note every afternoon.

I purposed to meet my husband at the door each night with a kiss,

And go to bed when he goes to bed, because beds weren’t just made for rest.

I purposed to pray as I fold the laundry, for the hearts that fill each shirt,

That they come to know Jesus Christ and are protected from getting hurt.

I purposed to not go shopping unless we truly have a need,

I know my tendency to spend; it’s a conviction I must heed.

I started with a deliberate plan and worked intentionally

Because holy lives don’t follow the culture; they don’t come naturally.

Eventually my plans became my habits, and that’s now what makes up my life.

I told you before, and I’ll tell you again, I’m just a simple mom and wife.

Dear Mom, the meter to my poem is as imperfect as I am, but I hope that God uses each rhyming couplet to inspire you to cultivate some holy habits of your own. Holy habits don’t happen naturally, but they can happen supernaturally!

Wendy Speake

One of the most practical ways I’ve learned to start new holy habits and break unhealthy ones is by intentionally fasting from things that don’t help me to be the gentle, patient mom I long to be. As a matter of fact, I just wrapped up my annual 40-Day Social Media!

Perhaps you’d like to take a break from your online habits in an effort to free up the time and energy to create some real-life habits with your loved ones! Find out more at 40daysocialmediafast.com .