Tending Your Faith in the Everyday

 

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit

 if it is severed from the vine.”

— John 15:4 (NLT)

When I think about all the areas of life God has entrusted to me, my faith is the first place I want to start. Because if that part of me is dry, distracted, or disconnected, everything else suffers. And yet… it’s also the easiest thing to neglect in the middle of a full, busy life.

That’s why I’ve been asking myself—again—what it really looks like to tend to my faith. Not as a performance. Not as another box to check. But in a way that’s genuine, sustainable, and rooted in love.

I want to share what I’m learning, in case you too are feeling the nudge to draw closer. This isn’t about adding pressure—it’s about inviting peace.

Faith as a Living Thing

Our faith is alive. It isn’t something we accomplish once and then set on a shelf. It’s something that needs to be tended, much like a garden. If we ignore it, weeds creep in. If we overwork it, it dries up. But when we care for it gently and consistently, it flourishes—quietly, deeply, and over time.

I used to think that faith had to look a certain way—long morning devotionals, color-coded journals, hours of prayer. And while those are beautiful practices, they aren’t the only way. God doesn’t need grandeur. He just wants our hearts—and our willingness to meet with Him, even in the smallest ways.

Practical Ways to Tend Your Faith Gently and Consistently

Here are a few ways I’ve been practicing—and practicing is the key word here—stewardship over my faith. These aren’t rules or requirements—just simple rhythms that can gently anchor you back to God in the middle of ordinary life.

1. Set a small, consistent time to read Scripture
Even five minutes in the Word can shift the tone of your whole day. Pick one time—morning with your coffee, lunchtime before scrolling, or just before bed—and open your Bible. Start with a Psalm. Read one parable. Revisit a favorite verse. Small moments matter.

2. Create “prayer triggers” throughout your day
Link prayer to something you already do. Pray while washing dishes, folding laundry, or taking a walk. Let ordinary tasks become sacred moments. It doesn’t have to be eloquent—just honest.

3. Keep a simple prayer journal
You don’t need fancy pages. A spiral notebook will do. Write down the names of people you’re praying for. Make a list of blessings. Keep track of answered prayers. It becomes a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness.

4. Let one worship song reset your day
When your mind feels scattered, music can re-center you. Pick one worship song to be your go-to reset. Play it while driving, cleaning, or just sitting still. Let it become a pause in your spirit.

Just in case one doesn’t come to mind, here’s one of my favorite go-to’s:
Gratitude by Brandon Lake – a soul-stilling reminder to come before God with nothing but a heart full of thanks.

5. Carry a verse in your pocket (or heart)
Choose one verse each week to write on a card and keep in your pocket or tape by the sink. Recite it when you're discouraged or distracted. Let it root down into your heart like water into dry soil.

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s one I return to often:

Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT) –
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

6. Make Sunday a day of soul rest
Let Sunday be set apart—not just as a church day, but a rest day. Light a candle. Read something soul-filling. Take a nap. Say no to unnecessary tasks. Let it be a holy hush in your week that whispers: This time is set apart.

When It Feels Like You’ve Drifted

Maybe you’re reading this and feeling a bit disconnected. You’re not alone. I’ve had seasons—long ones—where faith felt distant and dry. Stewardship doesn’t require perfection. It just requires a return. And return can start with the simplest, smallest step:

Open your Bible.
Whisper a prayer.
Sit in the quiet and just be with God.

You don’t need to catch up.
You only need to come close.

A Journal Prompt for This Week

What helps me feel close to God?
How can I build more of that into my week—gently, consistently, joyfully?

A Final Thought

Tending to your faith doesn’t require a whole new lifestyle. It starts with small, repeated acts of love. The kind of moments no one else sees—but heaven rejoices over.

You don’t have to be the most disciplined or eloquent person in the world.
You just have to say,
“Lord, I want to meet with You here.”

And He will.