My girls are 13 months apart, which means that during their early years, I often felt like I had twins. I had to really be on my toes-there was little-or-no catching of mistakes I made on the older child so that they wouldn’t be repeated with the younger one. What I was—or wasn’t—doing to love and raise my children was being done to both of them at the same time.

I quickly realized the importance of getting God’s Word into my heart each day. I tasted the power­ful effect it had, both on my parenting and on the atmosphere in our home. The same can be true for you. When I didn’t take the time to nurture my heart in the Word, I found myself -

Running on empty. When we spiritually run on empty, our hearts become hol­low and numb. Without spiritual refueling, our parenting is empty, too. Life becomes dull and devoid of spiritual energy, purpose, motivation, and accomplishment for both parent and child.

Heartless. If we are heartless, our parenting becomes heartless and rote. We put ourselves and our child-raising on autopilot.

Worldly. We become preoccupied with the things of this world and enamored by earthly pursuits and rewards, and this affects our parenting. Instead of following God’s ways, we’ll be walking and parenting in the ways of the world, allowing the things of this world will creep into our homes and into our children’s hearts.

These are all serious concerns, all brought about through missing out on the daily goodness of God’s Word. The solution? Pick up the Bible and read it. God will touch and transform our hearts through His Word.

Spend time each day reading the Bible. Share its life-giving truth with your children. It requires the sacrifice of time and energy, but the years you have with your children fly by so quickly. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart.”

What will happen if our hearts are dedicated to God and His Word, and filled with love for the Lord? By God’s grace, we will be godly mothers. And then we can successfully teach God’s Word to our children.

Your time in God’s Word is time God will use to make you a mom after His own heart. It is time well invested.

Lord, Your Word is my source of strength and refreshment each day. Deepen my understanding of Your love and Your will so that I become a mother who invests in her faith and family with everything she has and is.

In ”50 Most Important Teachings of the Bible”, bestselling author Jim George highlights key teachings every believer should know.

Make daily time in God’s Word a habit. How can I display a love of God’s Word to my children?

If our hearts are dedicated to God and His Word, and filled with love for the Lord, by God’s grace, we will be godly mothers.