I think it's the desire of every Christian's heart to walk with God.
How many times have you heard the injunction, "Everyone needs to have a quiet time!"
And had no idea exactly how, as a busy mom, you were supposed to pull that off?
I am often asked about how I conduct my own times of quiet, and thought I'd share a little about them today. If we intend to persevere and end our lives with endurance and at least a bit of a smile left on our face, taking time out to be with Jesus is more than a "good idea"--it's a necessity! Building our lives on God's word is the only way to have the foundation necessary to weather the storms of life and leave a legacy that will affect not only our own children but our neighbors, churches, and future generations.
But how?
Let me start off by saying that I do not always manage to have my quiet time at the beginning of the day. Sometimes I'm too tired to get up! Sometimes I've been up nursing a sick child, or perhaps a friend needed a listening ear over the phone at an inopportune hour. Yet I know the Lord is not waiting for me with a checklist, waiting to see if I'm up before dawn! He understands my days, since ...
" ... in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." ~ Psalm 139:16
Generally, though, my mornings follow a rhythm that's been built over the habits of many, many years. Here are some things that make up the pattern of my own quiet times.
One of my first joys whenever we've moved to a new place is designating a special spot for my quiet times. I purchased a small Queen Anne recliner early in my marriage and we dubbed it, "Mom's Own Chair." I have moved that chair sixteen times now, always placing it near a window where I could look out at a beautiful scene. Lighting vanilla candles and starting a pot of water for tea clue my sleepy brain in that it's time to wake up and engage. I keep a basket full of journals, my very worn Bible, and devotional books from writers spanning many centuries. After I settle in with my cup of tea and my mind is done wandering over whatever's left over from the day before or been awakened in my dreams, I reach for my Bible and a pen. Often, I'll read a little, then write a little about what stands out to me in God's word.
Of course on the crazy mornings I might not find my way to my chair until afternoon (nap time, in the early years with my children!) or sometimes even just before bed--or sometimes not at all.
There is something special about purposing each day to meet with the Lord; to offer Him the upcoming hours, to let Him pour His strength into me, to listen to what He might have to say about the concerns of my heart. This anchor of my day has become the anchor of my life, and rather than a duty it is a delight as I meet with my Best Friend.
A woman who has been in the presence of her God over and over again, will eventually begin to reflect his light and know His ways and hear His voice.
We tend to become like those we hang around with.
After all, "A companion of fools suffers harm,
but He who walks with the wise--
(lives with him, does life with Him,
listens to His advice, admires Him)
becomes wise.
Who have you been hanging around with lately?
...
For more encouragement, please check out my newest book, Desperate - Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe (on sale everywhere and currently 50% off at Mardel!)