Wednesday, July 11, 2012

A Question on Quiet times....

I want to talk about the subject of quiet times. (A quiet time being a time when as Christian women of God, we sit down and read the Bible, pray, journal etc...)

I remember the day when I confessed to my mentor that I didn't have a daily quiet time. I was racked with guilt because I hadn't spent deliberate time with the Lord in a number of days. At the time, I had a 3 year old and an infant. I was struggling to find time to cook a meal, wash the clothes, do the dishes. I was sleep deprived and completely exhausted. When I would sit down with the Lord, I struggled to even pay attention to what the Bible was saying. And when I would begin praying, I would fall asleep! I was feeling so guilty over the issue, that many days I was afraid to appoach the throne of grace with confidence.

What my precious mentor said next washed away all my guilt.

She asked me a question. "Jamie, if you knew that Sarah (who is my daughter) wanted to spend time with you, but she had a new baby and a 3 year old and was worn thin from the role of motherhood. And when she sat down with you, she struggled to make complete thoughts and sometimes fell asleep from being so tired. Would you be angry with her?

No, I replied.

Well in the same way, God knows that this is a season He has placed you in. Don't beat yourself up. He understands. He loves you. Do the best you can do. Hang Bible verses at those places where you stand the most (the sink, the stove, the washing machine, your car, your office desk...) and mediate on those verses while you're there. Talk to God about everything. Keep your Bible open on the counter and when you have a few minutes, read a verse or two.

She then pointed me to Isaiah 40:11 which says "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
Hear that? HE GENTLY LEADS THOSE THAT HAVE YOUNG.

That's us moms who have little ones that require tons and tons of TLC. God gently leads us. In other words, He makes Himself easy to find. In other words, when we pick up our Bibles, we don't have to search high and low to find a verse that speaks to our hearts! He is right there in a fingers reach, waiting to put oil in our lamps.

After that, the guilt was gone. I did as she said, hanging scripture everywhere. I tried with all my heart to spend time in the word, but inevitably it would be interrupted by one of my kids. But that was OK, because the little that I seemingly got from the Word was profound and heart changing most days. And I was amazed at the ease of meeting with my Father while living out the roles He had called me to.

I have 4 kids nine and under, so quiet times, for the most part, are something that I get when I'm driving in the car by myself! As a mom, there really isn't a sacred time. Even showers and bathroom breaks are interrupted by little ones. So I try my very best and I challenge you to do the same! And I leave you with Hebrews 4:16...
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

2 comments:

The McNeill family said...

I love you so much and I miss you dearly! Thank you for this post; it was so encouraging! xoxox!!!

THE WHITE HOUSE said...

Wow! Did I ever need to read this today! Thank you so much for sharing. Love you, Friend!

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