I awoke this morning to my usual world, one where I don’t know where I’ll be living in a year, with ceilings that look like I’m in a doctor’s office, and adjustments all around to life in my fifties. That’s when I again realized the necessity of quiet time in this crazy, noisy, chaotic world.
Now, if I were writing this post from the mountains of Tennessee or on the beach in California or any of my “perfect” places, I might not feel the chaos of the times. But for most of us, calm days are few and far between, and we enter our days running.
I’m in my quiet corner of the world right now, yet, there is noise. There are a hundred things shouting my name, calling me to come hither, that they might steal my joy, my peace.
Get Ready For Battle
And so we must fight. We must wage war on this culture which seeks to steal our peace. We must plan an attack early in our day, lest we get caught in the onslaught of the wave of “hurry” and the avalanche of to-dos.
But how do we do this? What does it look like for a busy woman? Where will we find space away from the crowd or the tumult?
This is where need and self-control come in. Once you discover the much-needed commodity, quiet for the soul, there will be little that can stop you from creating space in your day to get it. Once you realize your need was there all along, you’ll know the minute it rears its little head begging for more. You will have to make it happen, not much different from when you feel hunger or thirst. You will realize your cells are running dry when you feel distant from God, or when you snap too quickly, or when discouragement is draining your energy. But you must find the time.
Is God An “Add-On” Item To Your Day?
My husband and I went to a “Christian” marriage counselor/psychologist years ago. I questioned the depth of his faith because in his counseling— God was an “add-on” (like in Amazon’s cart when you want free shipping but the product is low cost, so it must be “added on” to a larger item). He treated God as if He was an “add-on” to his therapy, someOne to give a little power to the message. Let’s not do that with God! Let’s give Him the pre-eminence He deserves.
We can only do this by giving Him our personal time. Offer Him a tithe of the first fruits of your day. Let Him fill you with His wisdom, strength, counsel, and love before you begin in this crazy life we each must live. You may have children who need you from sun-up to sun-down, husbands who need to talk. You have work to do, meals to make, and clothes to wash. You have birthday cards to write, houses to clean, and lessons to teach. And that is why quiet time with your Lord is so very critical.
You need Him and He desires for you to place Him where he belongs in your life. Center front, first love, ever present, constant in your minute-by-minute life.
But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God….Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:6-8, 10
Make Space For God
You will have to figure out how to keep God center-front, but do figure it out!
- Steal fifteen minutes while you’re nursing a baby.
- Grab five minutes after your shower.
- Hold onto those precious moments when your husband has the kids busy.
- Even one verse to meditate on while you shower is time with your Father.
- Simply pray for wisdom and listen to His voice while you wash the dishes or brush your teeth.
Create space in your day (preferably your morning) to make a quiet, purposeful, listening time with your God. No doubt it will make your day run smoother, brighten your outlook, give calm to the hurry, and deliver you from fear of the unknown. But do take time. Time to listen. Time to think. Time that gives God space to speak to you, time for you to listen.
God wants us dependent on His grace, love, wisdom, strength, and so much more!
Find His Truth for any lie. Feel the comfort in His arms.
Discover rest.
I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.
And it will please the LORD better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs.
The humble have seen it and are glad; you who seek God, let your heart revive.
For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise His who are prisoners.
Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them.
Psalm 69:30-34
Karen Del Tatto says
Thank you so much for sharing! The words you wrote, “Offer Him a tithe of the first fruits of your day. Let Him fill you with His wisdom, strength, counsel, and love before you begin in this crazy life we each must live.” were such an encouragement to me. A beautiful illustration of how our morning prayers are a daily first fruit offering to the Lord that He will bless with His wisdom, strength, counsel and love.
livingabovethenoise says
It’s so good to hear that my lessons bless others. It’s easy to wonder if others are helped by what I share, so hearing your words bless me!
Chris Malkemes says
I understand.
When I was in the Army and a new mom I couldn’t find time for God. I would schedule Him on my to do list and then scratch His name out and re-adjust (place Him here and then place Him there). I never seemed to fit Him in. Sad, but true.
Then one day I said, “Sir. If you were the general I wouldn’t switch our scheduled time. I would go through your secretary. I would be placed on your time not mine. Well, Sir. Could you please put me on your schedule.” A few nights later I woke up early wide eyed and ready. We talked and we talked. The next day the same thing happened.
That was 1998 and He still wakes me up “on His time”. My life is richer because I meet the general of my soul and master of my destiny and my “Sir” in the Secret Place.
Thank you for sharing such rich truth. Blessings. Chris~
livingabovethenoise says
Thanks for sharing your change of perspective here. It is amazing how we misplace priorities in so many areas. And God, being invisible, gets pushed to the back seat all too easily. But…you are so right, if He was our boss at work, or the policeman on the highway, or our teacher he would get prime space in our day. We must “know that He is God.”
Arabah says
Good words here, friend. I needed the encouragement :)
Heaven says
Thank you for your lovely words and reminder to put God first. Have a wonderful week! I found you on Wise Woman.
livingabovethenoise says
So glad it blessed you. May you find quiet this week! Terry
Kaylene Yoder says
Creating margin for the Lord each day can be such a challenge sometimes, especially with all the mom duties that call from morn till night. However being purposeful about recentering on Christ is such a vital & life breathing practice. The key fro me is being purposeful. It never looks the same from day to day, but then God doesn’t expect perfection. Only effort. He meets us wherever we are! Thank you for sharing at Grace & Truth!
Kaylene Yoder says
P.S. I would like to feature you this Friday at Grace & Truth. Ok? :)
livingabovethenoise says
I sent you an email but just in case, yes, I’d be glad to be featured on Grace & Truth!
livingabovethenoise says
Centering and re-centering is the key for sure. It’s easy to get out of focus and lose our first love. We’ve got to create the quiet and listen well. Thanks for adding to this conversation! Terry
Messy Mom says
The Lord has definitely been dealing with my heart in this area. We are all busy, there is so much pulling at us, but this message is crucial. Our time with the Lord is what makes it all bearable and brings peace and clarity! Thank you for this reminder. I do not want God to be an add on to my day.
livingabovethenoise says
Sorry to delay my response, for some reason your comment went to spam! You are so right, we are all busy. I’m guessing satan keeps us as unfocused as possible to keep us from taking time with God. We need to help each other stay purposeful in our quest to serve Him with all of our lives. Thanks for sharing and encouraging!
Beth says
Ah yes, creating the space to be with my God is so very important and such a needed message, Terry. Too many think they are too busy or that they can handle life’s problems on their own, but they are so sadly mistaken! I treasure my times with God and have found that He pours so much into me that to go without it seems crazy! I don’t have a clue how people get through a day without creating this space for God to invade and pour into them. Thanks for the creative and practical ways to connect with God. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of looking outside the box of what spirituality looks like. I find some of my best prayer times are on extended driving trips. I live about 30 minutes from the heart of St. Louis and about an hour to the other side of that city, so anytime I’m headed to a doctor or visiting a friend, I make sure to pray and connect with God over the many miles. Thanks for your challenge to us all, Terry!