Finding Quiet Time

In my Mom Heart Bible Study this week, we discussed the need to come beside quiet waters and refill our souls.  I've been pondering over the years of seeking time with Him and His Word since the Moms left Tuesday evening.

When my 4 children were all very little, Bible time at our house was part of our school day and due to my need of sleep, Bible time with them was also my own Bible time.  Awana Verses were memorized, Hero Tales were read about great missionaries of the past and we read biographies of some of them from the Trailblazer series.  Slowly we learned together about the nature and character of God through the diligence of daily attention to His Word.
Then, during a more peaceful moment of the day doing dishes or folding laundry, my mind and heart could wander in personal meditation and prayer over what we'd learned or memorized that day.

Later, as the children grew, I was able to get out for a daily walk.  Wow!  Did that do wonders for my devotional time.  Out in nature, viewing His creation, I felt surrounded by Him.  I listened to sermons or hymns and walked mile upon mile lifting up prayer requests.  I also had time to internalize sermons of the previous week.  I often found myself finishing Sunday's sermon for myself.  Finding a parallel to my own life, I could take the nugget from my Pastor and apply it to my life.  All to soon, my walk would be over and I'd find myself at my door step.  I enjoyed the time alone with the Lord so much I constantly fought the urge to just keep walking, praying, meditating.  However, my children would need me to help guide them through the rest of their day and inside I'd go. 

Those earlier years of obedience to seeking time with Him have been the foundation on which I've stood during our current times of hardship and suffering.  If I'd not had the habit of seeking Him daily and not just at church on Sunday mornings, I can't envision where we'd be right now as a family.  I'm reminded of the verse that says the wise man built his house upon the Rock.  The storms came and the waves blew in, but the house on the Rock stood firm.  Those bedrock building years with young children have catapulted me to going deeper with my Savior.  With just 2 remaining children at home who are 11 and 8, I have time to get up in the early mornings with coffee and a devotional book and my Bible.  I look forward to this time every morning as it's setting the tone for my day.  But it's taken years of diligence to get here.  The Christian life is not a sprint, it's a marathon.  Endurance is needed.  Be encouraged today to get alone with Him.  Take your wee children into your lap and share a Truth with them about the Savior.  Encourage your middle schooler with how you see God working in their life.  Spend a few quiet minutes with Him this morning and allow him to nuture your soul.

Please, leave a comment and tell me how Quiet Times have affected your Walk!  I'd love to hear from you.