Maybe It's a Good Thing....

Over the past few months I've posted more about my quiet times, what God is teaching me, and the fact that it can be difficult to fit it in.  Here are some ramblings of what God laid on my heart today ~

I just want to clarify something that I felt I needed to share out of in my studies this morning.  

1~ I'm not always going to say everything clearly on this blog - what may make sense in my mind may not make sense in yours.  When in doubt, ignore all of my words and pray over the verses that are in the post.  God will teach you through His Word!  I'm praying for God's wisdom and guidance in what I write on this blog.  I pray that He will be honored and glorified.  

2~ I need to clarify a few things on this Joy Whenever post from the other week.  

• I didn't share all that was on my heart that day.  I shared the nice things I feel joyful in and deleted some tough things I was dealing with.  What you were left with was a list of not-so-tough things and a strong verse of encouragement for tough times.  You see, my Mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer.  Her surgeries are scheduled and any more treatments will be decided after that.  There are times when I just need to deal with things before I share them. 
• Another thing is the fact that I put on a video for my kids to watch in the morning for my quiet time.  I've shared here before some tips on how to get your quiet time in.  I do believe that it is important to spend time (alone & without distractions) I mean there are some great verses that talk about this:

In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. Psalm 5:3 (NASB)

But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16 (NASB)

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 (NASB)

Let alone the fact that Jesus got up early & taught....

And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him. Luke 21:38 (NASB)

I just wanted to encourage you where you're at.  Some days/weeks I cannot get out of bed before my kids.  I have a small house & when I get up, they do!  Either that or the medication I'm on makes me exhausted.  I can't move in the morning.  (Does this sound like a lame excuse?  I've talked to the doctor about it, and he says there's another option, but I'm too nervous to change meds.  More side affects to worry about ;)  We'll see.  I digressed.)  My husband's work schedule leaves the morning times as our "family" times so I have also struggled with this.  If I go off to be by myself when do we spend time together as a family?  How else do I keep my kids safely entertained while I have alone time in the other room?  My kids are very energetic and love to draw, climb and get into things.  A video is one thing I have relied on if I need time alone for a little bit if they're awake.

So, with all of this to say, I am left to pray and ask God what these verses mean and the quiet times in the morning with our family schedule.  Either that He will wake me up early and let the kids sleep through the squeaks on the wood floors or He will show me when during the day He wants my undivided attention.  You see, I'm a "schedule" person, I love algebra - the idea that a+b=c calms me.  I like to know that I have the answer & with God, His ways are higher than ours.

Maybe He's calling me to let go of my "perfect schedule" and to stop trying to plan Him into my day.  Maybe, just maybe He wants to be a part of all of my day....& the fact that I am struggling with this is a good thing.  Maybe it's the idea that I need to be carving out a specific time each day (& giving something up) with God as my priority (my first thought) is the idea? 

As you read this....what are your thoughts on your quiet times with God?  When do you sit down before the God of the Universe and share your heart with Him?  Hmmm....That may be my next post - what my quiet times look like.....

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