You know what time it is...
Spring cleaning season is here, and while you may be busy dusting shelves and tossing out clutter, have you paused to consider that your heart might need a little decluttering, too?
Just like a messy home can make it hard to find peace, a heart weighed down by sin, distractions, or unaddressed emotions can keep you from walking closely with God - which in turn can wreak havoc on your marriage.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us to
lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.
This is an instruction, which indicates that we have control over whether or not we do this.
If we want a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Lord, and a stronger, healthier marriage, we have to make space for God by intentionally, purposefully, obediently letting go of the things that get in the way.
Maybe you're struggling with bitterness or unrealistic expectations toward your husband; a grudge you’re holding against a friend; or just the never-ending to-do list that keeps pushing time with God to the bottom of it (which means it rarely, if ever, happens).
Whatever it is, there are some steps you can take to declutter the things in your heart that aren't serving you, your faith, or your family, and free up some space to invite Christ to fill you with godliness and fruits of the Spirit.
The first step in decluttering your heart is identifying what’s there.
You can do this by prioritizing your time studying Scripture.
When you spend intentional time in the Word, the Holy Spirit brings to light the things you need to surrender (Psalm 139:23-24).
If you don’t make space for Scripture in your life (daily if possible), you won’t even recognize the clutter you're carrying.
Spend time reading and studying the Bible, and then take a few minutes to journal out a few things you feel the Spirit is revealing to you that you need to let go of.
The next step is to actively let go of sin and negativity.
This is where you apply what you study.
If God’s Word calls you to forgive, you forgive. If it calls you to trust instead of worry, you surrender your anxieties in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).
It’s not enough to simply acknowledge the clutter; you have to remove it. And just like with physical clutter, this is an ongoing process—not a one-time event.
As you take steps to declutter your heart, you’ll find that your time with the Lord feels more joyful and meaningful, your marriage will benefit from your softened spirit, and your joy in Christ will grow.
The final step is to replace the clutter with fruits of the Spirit.
In Matthew 12:44-45, Jesus tells us:
Then it [the demon] says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first.
When you simply try to stop doing or to release something, without replacing it with a godly alternative, you leave your mind, heart, and soul susceptible for the enemy to fill that space with even more clutter.
For example, you can try to stop thinking negative thoughts about your husband, but if you don't replace them with positive thoughts instead, you'll find yourself coming up with all sorts of other destructive assumptions to dwell on.
How do you cultivate the fruits of the Spirit? By practicing the core spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and worship.
If you need help getting started, I invite you to check out my free Quieting Your Mind Guide. This guide was created to help you learn how to experience deeper, more meaningful and fruitful connection with God in your quiet times.
Make time this week to sit with the Lord and ask Him to show you what needs to go. Then, be obedient in clearing it out and adding spiritual disciplines in so you can walk more freely with Him.
Sweet friend, we know a strong marriage doesn’t just happen like in movies. In real life, creating a heavenly marriage requires intentionality, prayer, and inviting God into the center of your relationship.
It's too easy to get lost in the busyness of life, or the frustration of being married to someone who sins just like you do, and you forget to ask God to guide you how He sees fit in your marriage.
Since we're still in the beginning of a brand new year, let’s talk about three simple ways to intentionally invite God into your marriage.
First, commit to praying over your marriage, yourself as a wife, and your husband, regularly. Even if your husband isn’t a Christian, your prayers can make a powerful difference. Ask God to guide your heart, give you wisdom, and work in your husband’s life. Trust that God is at work even when you don’t see immediate results.
- Pray over your marriage itself, that God will use it to raise strong, godly children, that He will use the two of you together to exemplify the relationship between Christ and the Church as He designed marriage to function.
- Pray over yourself, that you would grow into the godly wife He's created you to be, and the one your husband needs you to be. For Scripture-based prayers you can pray over your growth as a wife, check out the Prayer Cards I've created based on Titus 2 and 1 Peter 3 HERE.
- Pray over your husband, not just that he would be the godly husband you need him to be, but pray over him as a man in general: for blessings, success at work, for his growth as a dad, as a friend, as a follower of Christ (or that he would give his heart to Christ if he hasn't yet).
Second, apply Scripture to your own actions within your marriage. Focus on how you can reflect Christ through love, patience, and kindness. When you live out biblical principles, you create a testimony of God’s grace that speaks louder than words.
It's important to study God's Word so that you know what God expects of you as a wife. Understanding your own role as a wife, and committing to obey God's instructions to wives regardless of whether your husband obeys, is crucial. As you study, learning how to make observations, correctly interpret, and accurately apply what you're learning is so important.
Often we read over Scripture and don't actually absorb it, or allow it to transform us. God gave us His Word in order that we can get to know Him, His heart, and His instructions for us. If you find yourself frequently wishing you could just hear God speak audibly to you and tell you what to do or what He wants from you, it's possible that you aren't absorbing or being transformed yet by what you're reading in the Bible. I am passionate about helping women learn how to do this, so if you don't follow me yet on Instagram or Facebook, make sure to go follow me now, and get on my email list!
Third, create a Christ-centered atmosphere in your home. Play worship music, display Scripture art, and prioritize joy and peace in your daily interactions. Even small changes can create an environment where God’s presence feels tangible.
Allow your husband and children to see you put God first by setting aside time to study His Word each day, asking for that uninterrupted time when needed. Your kids don't need to always feel like they come first, especially when they're seeing you put God ahead of them for just a few minutes.
Eventually, as you are transformed by His Word, they will see those changes and notice how you respond in gentleness and kindness, rather than in frustration and anxiety - and THAT will make the biggest impact on your husband, and your kids.
Want more ideas for building a God-centered marriage - and home? Let’s connect on Instagram where you can find me at @missiannsmith. That's where I share practical tips and encouragement for Christian wives to help you learn how to study Scripture for yourself and apply it to YOUR marriage. Let’s make this the year of growth and unity in our marriages!
Have you ever somehow lost the habit of spending time with God? Life happens, and it can be easy for our quiet time routines to be the first thing to go.
But guess what? It’s never too late to start again.
God simply wants to spend time with you, and He wants to reveal Himself to you through His Word.
He is ALWAYS ready, and always full of mercy and grace for you.
Today, let’s talk about how you can easily reset your quiet time routine with grace and simplicity.
First, identify your why.
Why do you want to spend time with God?
Is it to:
- deepen your relationship with Him
- find peace in your day, or
- seek guidance?
Knowing your why will keep you motivated when life gets busy.
Next, choose a realistic plan.
If mornings feel rushed, find a pocket of time in the afternoon or evening that works for you.
Keep it simple—one chapter of the Bible (or even just a paragraph), a journal, and maybe a hot cup of coffee. Focus on consistency over perfection.
Finally, ask for God’s help.
Pray for discipline and a hunger for His Word.
He loves to meet us in our weaknesses and He will always provide what we need to grow when we seek Him.
Need a little extra help to get started? I created something just for you! Download my free Quieting Your Mind Guide—it walks you through 4 simple steps with practical tips to help you discover the richness in God's Word. This guide is perfect when your mind tends to wander but you really want to get back into a habit of being excited for your time with the Lord.
Let’s make this year the one where quiet time becomes the best part of your day.
The start of a new year feels like a blank page, doesn’t it? There’s something so refreshing about knowing you can turn the corner and start fresh.
But if you’re anything like me, you might also feel a little overwhelmed.
There are a million and one new ideas for organizing your home. A thousand posts about how to reinvigorate and stir new passion into your marriage. Hundreds of suggestions for how to create routines that will help you to move your body and drink more water.
Or maybe it's your your faith that feels a bit stale, and you’re wondering which influencer to follow to rekindle that passion for God. Maybe you feel a little guilty because last year's resolutions didn't stick through the year.
Let me reassure you: God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), and He’s ready to meet you right where you are.
And friend - when you meet with Him consistently, that one single step will refresh EVERY other area of your life.
Here is my encouragement to you: instead of jumping into an ambitious Bible reading plan that feels daunting, start with one passage or chapter a day and ask God to open your mind to His wisdom and grant you understanding.
Couple this with prayer—an honest conversation with Him about your fears, your desire to grow spiritually, your needs for your marriage, kids, work, and friendships, and your desire to surrender everything to His perfect will.
Trust that He can and will work in your heart as you first make it a priority to seek Him in Scripture, and second make it a priority to lay everything at His feet in obedience to Him.
Consider setting a faith-led goal for the year. Maybe it’s to study one book of the Bible deeply (you don't have to read the entire Bible in a year in order to grow!), memorize Scripture (perhaps one verse a month?), or pray regularly with your husband (or pray for him, if praying together isn't an option).
Whatever it is, make it personal and meaningful. And remember, you don’t have to do this alone! Surround yourself with women who will encourage and support you in your journey.
If you know God is calling you to take this one step to draw closer to Him, I would love to invite you to enroll in the Wives of the Word: Bible Study Methods for Women course! Doors are currently open, but only until THIS Friday, January 10, 2025.
This is your opportunity to start 2025 refreshed, with the tools and confidence to study Scripture deeply (even on the days you only have a few minutes), apply God’s truths to your marriage, parenting, and life, and grow into the women God has called you to be - while I hold your hand and guide you step-by-step, and with the encouragement and support of other women learning alongside you.
Enroll now and take the first step toward a life of spiritual renewal and joy! Doors close Friday, so don't miss out!
Let’s start this year with hearts renewed and ready for what God has in store!
Sweet friend, I see you there – maybe scrolling through your phone while trying to catch a quiet moment, feeling that familiar ache in your heart as another year draws to a close.
That yearning to feel more present in your life, more anchored in your purpose, more confident in your decisions.
I know that deep down, you're longing to be the calm, joyful presence your family needs, instead of feeling constantly overwhelmed and stretched thin.
You're tired of running on empty, of second-guessing yourself, of wondering if you're making the right choices for your family.
Most of all, you're craving that clear connection with God – that gentle, guiding Voice that helps you navigate the beautiful chaos of being a wife and mom with grace and wisdom.
I've walked this road too, and I want to share something that might surprise you: that peace and purpose you're seeking? That calm assurance and joy that feels just out of reach?
It's not hiding in another planning system or self-care routine.
The transformation you're longing for starts in the quietest, simplest moments with God – even if those moments look nothing like the picture-perfect devotional times you see on social media.
Can I share something deeply personal with you? When I was in that same overwhelmed space, desperately seeking answers and direction, I discovered something that changed everything.
It wasn't another productivity hack or morning routine – it was learning how to truly connect with God in the small pockets of time I actually had, not the perfect quiet time I thought I needed.
Here's what I've learned: the secret isn't in having hours of uninterrupted study time (but wouldn't that be nice?). It's in learning how to make the most of whatever time you do have – whether that's 5 minutes or 50.
Here's the thing: I know that the peace and direction you're searching for isn't found in doing more or trying harder – it's found in learning how to quiet your heart and connect with God in the midst of your beautiful, messy reality.
And sweet friend, I want you to know something important: God isn't standing there with a stopwatch, disappointed when you can only give Him five minutes between making breakfast and getting the kids ready for school.
He's waiting to meet you right where you are, even if that's just a few precious moments while you're waiting in the school pickup line. Those few minutes, when you know how to use them well, can become the foundation of the transformation you're craving.
When you learn how to truly unpack God's Word – even in those small moments – something beautiful happens. Those Scripture passages you've read a hundred times suddenly spring to life with new meaning, speaking directly into your marriage, your parenting, your daily struggles.
That's why I'm so excited to invite you to my free Routine to Revival workshop coming up THIS WEEK.
This isn't just another Bible study method that will leave you feeling overwhelmed – it's a simple, grace-filled approach that will help you discover God's wisdom for your specific season of life.
You'll learn how to make the most of those precious minutes you have, turning them into powerful moments of connection that will ripple through your entire day, affecting how you respond to your husband, how you parent your children, and how you navigate life's challenges.
Imagine walking into 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and peace. Picture yourself starting each day – even the chaotic ones – anchored in God's truth, drawing from His strength instead of trying to power through on your own.
Think about how it would feel to finally have that clear connection with God you've been longing for, to feel His guidance as you make decisions for your family, to see His fruits of patience, joy, and peace flowing naturally into your relationships.
This isn't about adding another task to your already full plate – it's about finding the source of strength and wisdom you need to pour into your family from a place of fullness rather than exhaustion.
The workshop will take place January 2nd, with another optional session on January 3rd and a final opportunity on January 10th (registration closes January 2nd).
Sweet friend, I know this could be the fresh start you've been praying for – not just for your Bible study routine, but for your whole life as a wife and mom.
I'd love to walk alongside you and show you how these simple moments with God can transform everything.
There's even more waiting for you in this workshop than I can share here, but I know this: God has beautiful things in store for you and your family this coming year, and it starts with these small, intentional moments in His presence.
