We all know what time-outs are, right? That is where a child is made to sit in the corner after doing some bad. How about a time-in? That is just the opposite.

I have discovered, in my short mothering career thus far, that time-ins work brilliantly. Time-ins are simply when a well-behaving child is given little bits of encouragement and play. When I give my toddler a steady stream of time-ins throughout the day, her day goes much better and so does mine!

One way I give her time-ins in through focused attention. I can’t give her my full, undivided attention every moment of the day, of course. But, instead, I can give her my full attention in little bits through out the day. If she is building a tower with blocks, I stop what I’m doing, get on the floor with her and look at what she is making. Maybe I comment about the tall tower, or I can simply just pat her on the back. I show genuine interest in what she is doing.

Giving my toddler several focused bits of time-ins throughout the day made me think whether I’m giving God enough time-ins. It is so easy to get distracted and not really think about God all day. Sometimes I’ve even found myself as I lay down in bed at night, realizing that I haven’t prayed all day or even done my daily Bible reading.

When I take time throughout the day to stop several times for a short while and give God focused attention, my day goes much better. I stop to thank God for something. I stop to ask for guidance. I stop and think of something I’ve been studying or reading recently. I simply stop just to clear my mind and focus on God.

Of course, I'm not saying give God attention only when He is being good.  God is good all the time!  That is why I want to give my praise and attention to Him constantly.  I have so much to be thankful for.

The Bible tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessolonians 5:17). That doesn’t mean pray all day without stopping. But do be consistent in your prayer.

I know that when I give my toddler a lot of time-ins, our day will go smoother. And I know, for sure, that when I give God lots of consistent, constant attention, my day will go even better.