By Miriam Rossow
I recently read a blog post, Dear Mom who feels Guilty about Quiet Time, by one of my favorite bloggers and friends from church, Lydia Jentzen Will. She discusses the idea that the guilt that comes from not spending quiet time with God on a daily or weekly basis is not from God.
She says, “I can tell you one thing. Guilt over quiet time with God is not from God. So let’s get that straight right off the bat.”
As a mom of 4 kids ranging from 13 yrs. to 4 yrs. who has stayed at home full time and worked outside of the home part time I have struggled with the idea of how to find time for quiet time with God in my daily/weekly life. The to do lists are long and unfinished. The time spent with my husband and family is limited. The house management is lacking in many areas. We still don’t have a dentist after 2 years of living here!
I know that the promise in time spent with Jesus is that as I get to know Him and spend time with Him I will be blessed. While spending time with Him I will know Him more and in knowing Him more I will love Him more and will see Him showing up in my life in more clearly.
While spending time with Him I will know Him more and in knowing Him more I will love Him more and will see Him showing up in my life in more clearly.
I know that the guilt that I feel is not from God. I know that when I hear the law and feel that I am not following the law I am being called to take a serious look at my life. I am called to hear the words as words of invitation to repent and hear the love of God in forgiveness.
What I don’t want is to use the business in my life as an excuse. So often for me I believe this is what happens. I hold things to be important in my life and I make sure they happen. Why then do I say that quiet time, prayer, bible study are important and still I do not seem to find the time to make sure it happens?
What I don’t want is to use the business in my life as an excuse.
Part of the answer is that I am looking for it to be perfect. I want it to be a certain way and that is not always possible with a little one at home and a mind that wanders and lists and chores that are never ending. I may not find time everyday to do these important things, but I do know that if it is important I can find the time to do it often.
Lydia talks about Jesus being part of our daily, messy, busy lives. This is so true and I think that as I struggle with this question of quiet time it is important to remember that He comes to me in so many ways. If He is only found in the quiet time I carve out or Sunday mornings than I am missing and important part of who Jesus is and wants to be in my life. He wants to be part of our everyday lives and our lives are better when He is infused throughout them!
He wants to be part of our everyday lives and our lives are better when He is infused throughout them!
Songs, books, conversations, quick bible stories with my children are all ways that I am encouraged and strengthened in my faith.
As Lydia says, “For me, “Quiet Time” looks like prayers sprinkled throughout my day, and it’s anything but quiet. A pause with closed eyes while nursing the baby. Hymns on Pandora while doing dishes. Bible readings in the morning shouted over the din of 6 kids fidgeting and whispering and still learning to sit quietly. That’s how faith in my life looks right now. Real life faith infused in real life.”
So if you are in a time of your life right now when hearing the words ‘quiet time with God’ brings guilt to mind. If you feel like a failure and God could not possibly love you or forgive you for your lack of time spent with Him, then hear the words of grace that are offered in Lydia’s blog.
And if you are like me and you hear these words and feel guilt because you know that in your life you find time for those things that are important and you have simply refused to put quiet time at the top of your list than hear these words in invitation to repent, be forgiven, and spend that time with God.
He is inviting you to know Him intimately. He knows you and your life and your heart. He loves you and forgives you for ALL those times when you fail Him as a disciple. And He calls you to turn back to Him and fight for time with Him!
