I grew up my entire life believing in God. However, as a child it was the faith of my parents. As a teen, it was a faith put on the back burner until I started “adulting.” As a college-aged young person, it became my faith and my direction and my purpose in life. But life in those late teens/early 20s had many distractions—boys, career choices, boys, friends, boys … you get the picture! Enter in “The Boy” and you have wedding planning and eventually merging two lives into one. Early years of marriage were very challenging for both of us – I had always been a Princess, in my mind anyway, and couldn’t figure out why my Prince didn’t just know how to make me happy (like worship the ground I walk on, duh!) My Prince, on the other hand, was trying to figure out his role in this new joint world. At that time, my faith became very real to me as I clung to promises in God’s Word to get me through the valleys.
But still, there were distractions and busyness that kept me from consistently growing and pursuing a daily time with Jesus. Gradually add in kid #1, #2, and #3, a couple moves, several family and close friend cancer diagnoses and the early deaths of my dad, my brother-in-law, and best friend, and I was reeling. Of course, there is still the myriad of other “life” happenings too and time with God grew dimmer and dimmer, although needed more and more.
You know how you have moments that touch you so strongly, you never forget them? Well, I had one such moment when my kids were 9, 3, and under one. We had temporarily moved in with my mom shortly after the death of my dad while our new home was being built. While still a crazy time of life, there was a bit more down time as I had my mom’s help with the kids, housework, and meal prep, and the recent packing and moving was done. One day God spoke to me (in my Spirit, not audibly) and said, “I want you to start getting up earlier in the quiet of the morning to spend time with me.” Now, spending time with God was something I really desired to do … getting up earlier in the morning, was not! But I had heard Him loud and clear so how could I ignore Him?
The next day, I set my alarm to get up at 6:30. Guess who woke up at 6:30 that day? Yup, my youngest. I tried it again the next day and 6:30 – eyes wide open! So alarm is set for 6 the following day, and you guessed it—eyes open at 6. We weren’t in the same room so I knew he wasn’t hearing me, but the three kids were all sleeping in the same room so I couldn’t let him stay in there to wake the other two. So the alarm goes to 5:30—same thing! I was so frustrated! I liked and needed my sleep, I’m trying to do the right thing … why was this happening? I so wanted to give up but I didn’t. Honestly, I don’t remember now how long this went on but gradually he did start sleeping until his normal time and I had established that daily morning routine of time to communicate with God.
That routine has now continued for the past 22 years. And I can’t imagine how different my life would be without it. So why am I telling you this story? Hopefully to encourage you in your own life journey. Starting this routine at a time with 3 young children, grieving, and moving may not have seemed like the best choice. But because I had 3 young children, was grieving, and life was out of its normal routine was why it was the perfect time. Maybe you can relate? This is a desire you have always had, but there’s always good reasons as to why it can wait until another season. I promise you, there are no easier seasons coming – at least not until closer to retirement age! You need God now, to speak to you, encourage you, guide you, and get you through each challenging day. Every day you wait is a day you are missing spending time with your best friend, the One who knows you better than anyone else because He created you.
Maybe this idea is new to you or you have no idea what I’m even talking about. Here it is: God created me to live my life here on this earth at this exact time and location. He gifted me with life, family, and purpose. He knows me better than anyone else possibly could, including my husband of 35 years, my mom and sisters, and my own children. If I want to live out this gift of my life with His purpose, I need to spend time with Him each day. How that looks for me, for you, changes and evolves throughout the years.
Here are some of the ways I have spent this morning time with my Friend over the years:
- Writing in a gratitude journal of everything I’m thankful for that day
- Reading my Bible – sometimes it might be just a verse; sometimes it is a chapter. For years I read a chapter of Psalms, Proverbs, and a chapter from the New Testament each day. Last year I completed, for the first time, reading the Bible through in a year. This year, I’m just concentrating on the New Testament in a study Bible. There isn’t a specific “should” here – there’s only a “do”. Whether it’s a verse, chapter, or section, ask God to direct you to what He wants you to hear from Him.
- Reading a devotional written by a respected author – some of these come through my email on a weekly basis, others are in book or e-book form. These have touched my life immensely over the years.
- Reading a book on a spiritual growth topic – just one chapter so I can digest it fully. Some of my favorite practices and life changes have come because of these books.
- When I am participating in a Bible study, spending that time doing the daily homework.
- Listening to teachings from respected people in video format or podcasts. Sometimes I will do this while walking or if I have long drives (to see that grandbaby!) or I’ll just sit in my chair with my favorite journaling/coloring Bible and be creative with my colored pencils while I’m digesting the spoken words. Coloring & Journaling Bible
- Keeping a prayer journal of big things I’m praying for that are long-term; as well as the more immediate needs for myself, family and friends, along with when the requests have been answered.
- Spending time talking to God using His Words. Here’s some helpful books I’ve found to get you started that are topical in nature. Praying Scriptures for Your Adult Children (Jodie also has Scripture books for your children and teens) and The Power of a Praying Wife (Stormie has a variety of other topical prayer books as well). But not doing all the talking, also listening as He speaks to me while I’m reading, listening, or speaking.
Now I don’t do all of these every day, but hopefully this gives you some ideas of the variety of ways you may be able to connect with your best Friend each day. And while I do still spend time with Him first thing in the morning, my brain is not functioning until my cup of coffee is at least half way ingested, so I spend those sips clearing out email on my phone or seeing if there’s any new pictures of my grandson posted on Facebook! And then I’m ready to dive in!
All I can say is that these daily practices began early on with making a sacrifice to my time and sleep but over the years my recognition of the sacrifice that was made for me has greatly over-ridden my role in this relationship. If you take this step, a year from now, two years, and 20+ years from now, you will be ever so grateful for the life changes you have experienced and relationship that only can come when you spend time with your Friend, Jesus Christ.
I would love to hear from you what you begin to incorporate into your daily life and how it is impacting you. Or if you are already in this habit, what your daily time with your best Friend looks like.
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