As moms, we all know how hard it can be to get some time alone for personal Bible study and prayer.
Somebody always needs Mommy!
Especially as a homeschool mom, the dream of a quiet morning with a cup of coffee and our Bibles isn’t very realistic.
I don’t know about your kids, but even if I try to wake up earlier for some quiet time, my girls seem to have a “Mommy’s Awake” sensor or something. It seems like they just know Mommy is up and so they wake up.
In this season of life, there are times that I simply long for silence and quiet time with God.
I can imagine getting in the car, renting a room at a hotel and just spending the day by myself… or finding a beach, pulling out a towel and sitting there alone with God… a park bench in the woods… a small table at Starbucks… so many options. so many reasons why those things aren’t part of my life right now.
Now, I know that God understands that I’m a busy mom with young kids who need me. I learned long ago that I can take small amounts of time and pray while the kids play or read my Bible while the girls color. I can choose to bring them along with me in my personal time with God.
I know that He honors the time that I give Him in this season of life. And, I know the impact my personal time with God has on my children when I seek Him in front of them.
But, there are times when I want more, times that those small study moments just aren’t enough, times when I feel the need to just get away from life for a few hours and spend some time with Him.
Quiet. Peace. Alone time with God.
Sounds so nice… so impossible.
Sometimes, in my heart’s tearful prayers, I tell God of my struggle to have more time with Him. I ask Him to help me hear His voice in the midst of the loudness of life.
And, in God’s patient loving way, He answered my cry. God led me to Psalm chapter 55 and wow… can I just tell you how personal our God is when we seek Him?
The cry of my heart was to break away, find relief and experience some quiet. Obviously, there was a moment when King David felt the same way!
Psalm 55:6-7 “I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest- I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”
Psalm 55:16-17 “But I call to God, the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. “
Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”
The study notes of my Bible say it like this: “We often seek relief by trying to escape our troubles. However, in most cases we cannot simply escape the situation. THE REAL SOLUTION is found in seeking God. Call on Him constantly. Giving Him our concerns and trusting Him to take care of everything in His own time and way.”
The end of verse 23 says, “But as for me, I trust in You.”
So, I might not get any time alone today but God is still here with me in the craziness of my young household. He hears me when the girls are playing, screaming and singing. He enjoys our time together even if there is a girl or two climbing on me. He listens to my conversations with Him even if I can’t close my eyes to pray.
I can trust Him to grow me, change me and use me even if I can’t get 2 quiet minutes to put together. He and His love are right here with me.
The doubt, frustration and even guilt that I feel for not having that picture perfect quiet time is not from God. We put that on ourselves.
God reminded me through His Word that He is always with me and that my time with Him is precious in His sight.
I don’t have to fly away or run away to find Him.
The real solution is found in seeking Him right where I am in this moment.
Jenilee is a homeschooling mom to 3 girls – Elayna, Annalise and Abigail. She serves with her husband, Jeremy, a Children’s Pastor in Ohio, in full-time ministry. Jenilee loves a good book, coffee and blogging! You can read more about her family life, homeschooling adventures and other humorous Goodwin moments by visiting Our Goodwin Journey
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