No such thing as quiet at your house? Don’t tune out just yet! Keep reading!
When I met Dawson, he always talked about having his “quiet times”. Before him, I don’t remember what I called these moments. Let me explain…
In our house, quiet times are those designated moments where we are making intentional efforts to spend quality time with God. I don’t pick a certain hour every day to designate towards this time and it doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes it might include worship music, reading a devotional, deep dives into a scripture or passage, prayer journals, etc. Other times, it might be just simply a time of reading the Word as is. I’ll be 100% transparent. Sometimes my quiet time is dictated by a busy schedule and what I can fit into a certain time window.
As a new mom, I am learning that quiet times aren’t always “quiet”. And that is OKAY! So parents with kiddos, especially the little ones, this post is for you too! I have found that utilizing Oakley’s nap time, whether short or long, for these moments with God is ideal. However, I am fully aware of the housework that is staring back at me. So, sometimes those nap times are spent doing chores.
If we really stop to think though, isn’t it sometimes good when our time in worship and communication with God isn’t always quiet? I mean our kids need to be poured into spiritually too! Since being a mom myself, my mom has always said that Oakley needs to hear the Bible even now at 3 months old. She needs the Word to be prayed, sung, and spoken over her. My mom says, “Let her be a part of it too. Let her see you doing that.”
So, to the parents who have no “quiet” in your house, don’t let that become your excuse for missing out on quality time with God. Invite your kids to be a part. Model what those moments consist of for your family.
I am a cute pens, highlighters, notebooks, and the perfect atmosphere kind of girl. (When kids and schedules allow it remember!) I have found that, aside from the Bible of course, there are 3 things I would say are pretty essential to the quiet times I am able to really dive into scripture and take my time with.
1. KINGART Pens
I have a journaling Bible so it was very important to me that I find a good pen that didn’t bleed, didn’t smear, and was versatile for use on my notebooks and in my Bible. Also, if you have ever seen a journaling Bible, some of those spaces get pretty small when you have a lot of thoughts to write. I wanted a pen that wasn’t super bulky or thick. The KINGART Fine Line Pens from Amazon (#ad) are my all time favorite!
2. Lay-Flat Notebook
I use a notebook/journal to write my prayers. Writing my thoughts to God helps me focus. And, an added bonus is that I can go back and read past prayers and see how they have been answered in amazing ways! I’ve probably been prayer journaling for a few years now. I am not always good about writing daily, but I’ve went through quiet a few different notebooks. I have found that the BEST and my favorite type of notebooks are the ones that lay flat and have sketch-type paper in it. The neat thing about THIS ONE on Amazon (#ad) is that the cover is plain and easy to decorate with stickers, doodles, etc.
3. Enduring Word Commentary
There are numerous Bible commentary resources out there so use what fits your style most! I like Enduring Word the best so far. And the app is super easy to use! I’m bad to just read through a passage quickly and not digest what it’s saying. Using a commentary has made a huge difference in how I understand what the scriptures are saying and has helped in my journaling!
And of course, a cup of coffee always pairs nicely with some time with God! So grab a latte and dive into the Word!
