I have been a Christian since the age of four. I was the little girl in the childrens’ choir, the one who was there every morning for vacation Bible school, faithful in the church youth group, at every winter retreat, summer camp, and missionary trip. I sang solos on Sunday mornings, and helped in the church nursery. I was influenced by the positive examples of my youth leaders and I loved being a part of that group. It was there that I found my identity as a young girl, and I’m so thankful for that.
There was something missing amidst all of those Sunday school classes and campfires. I never felt a thirst for the Word. Reading the Bible has never been something that comes easily to me, even though I know how important it is. Many times I have vowed to have quiet time each day, only to fail after a week or so. Then the guilt and shame come. How is it that I can make time to sew, read a CIA mystery novel, go to the gym, or (let’s be real here)… BLOG, when I can’t make time to spend time with Him???
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
Luke 12:34
I have found myself losing patience with the kids, having a bad attitude toward the housework, or feeling plain old overwhelmed with it all, and I have known exactly what I need. I need Him. I need time at His feet, in the Word, in dedicated prayer time. It’s not enough to offer up a prayer here and there.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
James 4:10
This past January I joined the Hello Mornings crew and renewed my vow to myself and the Lord to spend daily time with Him. I’ve realized that I need this. I’ve also realized that the only time I am going to get quiet time is early in the morning, before everyone else wakes up, (a challenge when you have an early rising three year old). I have always avoided the early morning devotional time, because it’s… well, so early! I have hemmed and hawed over it. I’ll wake the dog up, he’ll wake up everyone else… I’ll wake up the kids early and get NO time at all… I won’t be able to get out of bed that early… I can’t concentrate early in the morning… blah, blah, blah.
Here’s what I have found. The hard part is rolling out of bed, but once I am up and sitting in front of my Bible He meets me there. I’m am a better person when the first thing I read in the morning is my Bible, not my email. I am working through the Bible verse by verse and praying on a daily basis, through a list of prayer requests and praises. My day starts on a better note when the first thing I hear is worship music, not ”Mommy, get me breakfast” (which is how my youngest asks). I have more patience with the kids, a better attitude toward housework, and I don’t feel quite as overwhelmed. My time with Him has become so important to me. When I miss it I can feel a difference. I have felt His presence there at my dining room table, in the quiet of the morning, because He is real, and He loves me, and He treasures that time with me too.
Do you struggle with keeping a consistent quiet time? What works for you? I’d love to hear about it.