Who Ever Said Quiet Times Had to be “Quiet”?!

So often as mother’s, we feel like our quiet times with Jesus must be done in absolute silence in order for God to hear us or honor our time with Him. Where did this idea ever come from? I believe it to be completely false.

First off, this puts the added pressure of trying to find this “quiet” time. Secondly, if it is not found, our times with Jesus simply get pushed to the side, for the next day only in hopes that we can get a quiet half hour or hour alone with Jesus.

I first learned this truth from a wonderful book called “Passionate Housewives Desperate for God”, written by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. It has stuck with me since. Certainly there are opportunities for those alone, secluded times with Jesus that may last more then just a few minutes. But…..

1 Thess. 5:17 says to “Pray without ceasing”.

There is no specific time of day or amount of time listed here. We are to be praying constantly. In order to do this, it must be simultaneous with our daily living.  I, personally, see this as a better way to commune with God. It releases us from the guilt of trying to perfect something not even required of us and it also helps us build a stronger relationship and foundation with the Father. Afterall, the more time you spend talking and listening to someone, the more you get to know them. The more intimate the relationship. Why wait until we’re alone and it’s quiet, since this time is a rare occasion to grab a hold of?

Instead, in addition to having conversations with Jesus throughout the day, we can take 5 or 10 minutes while the children are independantly engaged to jot down a few things in a prayer journal for a friend, family member or yourself, or read a few verses to live by or promises to remember and repeat them over and over in our heads throughout the day. Pray them into our lives. There can still be the sounds of our children’s voices in the background. God still hears us and honors us if we pray while our children are awake and playing.

It is far better to get these snippets in all throughout the day then to mistakenly wait for the “perfect” time when it is dead silent in the house. The reality is, this isn’t realistic!  Why not invite God to converse with us while engaging in the very life He blessed us with?!

So, for those of you feeling guilty that you don’t get enough “quiet time” in during your days and weeks – I encourage you – stop waiting for the quiet times and converse with God during they busyness of your day! The reward is far greater. This way we do not allow the opportunity to pass us by because our “quiet” time with God never comes.