How can Christian women get more time?

Time…it seems to pour through our fingers like sand. No matter how hard we try, there is no way to stem its flow.  In a modern world that demands so much from us, it can often feel impossible and quite frankly, unreasonable when more is expected of us. So how should we respond as overstretched, overburdened women when we are prompted by the Lord to prioritise spending time with someone who is elderly, unwell or desperately lonely? Over the last decade, God has graciously been showing me the fruit of being obedient in this area. 

In a worldly sense, it would seem counter-intuitive to add more to our overflowing schedules.

In a worldly sense, it would seem counter-intuitive to add more to our overflowing schedules. But I have found that nudging from the Holy Spirit asking for our simple obedience, is not only meant as an outward blessing but as a source of restoration for our weary souls.

READ MORE: ‘I must use the time I have left wisely’

In 2018, my great auntie was diagnosed with vascular dementia and was moved from Manchester to a care facility close to where we lived. I visited her a few times but when lockdown hit and visitations were restricted, it honestly felt like a sigh of relief when I could relinquish the responsibility knowing that only my mum would be allowed to see her. I was struggling massively with motherhood. I had a preschooler with undiagnosed autism, a daughter with allergies and who screamed relentlessly, a chronic illness that caused fatigue and immense pain. All whilst trying to continue teaching. Life felt all consuming and I truly believed I had nothing left to give and in my own strength, I didn’t. My auntie died before I could see her again.

READ MORE: ‘Multi-tasking energises me’

I have come to see that what I once viewed as a burden, was actually intended by the Lord as an invitation to be still. 

I look back and don’t feel guilt, because God doesn’t condemn me. But I do feel sadness. I have come to see that what I once viewed as a burden, was actually intended by the Lord as an invitation to be still. The Bible makes it clear that we were not designed to live in isolation (Genesis 2:18).  Had I carved out that time, even an hour a week, I truly believe not only would have it been a source of blessing to my auntie as her memories faded, but would have been a purposeful time of human connection that would have brought some relief to my desperation.

READ MORE: ‘How can we make space and time to listen to God when we are always doing at least two things at once?’

After the unexpected death of my parents at the beginning of 2022, my world was shaken. As anyone grieving loved ones knows, there comes a deep understanding that time is a gift and not one of us is guaranteed more of it. It was then that the Lord extended another invitation to me. My mum had been visiting my elderly grandad every week for years, but now that source of comfort from his eldest daughter had been lost and he was hurting deeply.

It would have been so easy to ignore that prompting. Life was still chaotic. But this time, I chose differently. I took a simple step of obedience and prioritised visiting my grandad. He passed away in December 2025, but what an immense source of blessing it has been, not only for him but for me. God knew what my soul needed. Our visits became my weekly joy, an opportunity to rest, to connect and to understand his story. John 13:34 tells us that… “We are called to love one another, as He first loved us.” You see, as we choose to love others, we increase our capacity to understand more of the Father’s love for us.

There will always be many voices competing for our time and attention, no matter the season of life. Even things that ‘appear’ good, may not be truly beneficial and will only add to our burden. In our quest for finding more time, can I encourage you today to simply slow down, quiet the external demands and spend time in the Lord’s presence listening to what He would have you do? This will look different for each of us. But Jesus assures us that His yoke is easy to bear and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Our simple obedience to our Holy God is where we find true rest for our souls.