QUIET TIME
It may sound rather insane and silly, but I was recently asked "how do you find quiet time to do your devotions?" and I replied... "Sometimes I have to lock myself in the bathroom and pretend I'm "busy" to find the quiet time I need to just be one on one with God" She giggled and said "Gross! You go into the bathroom, that's not very religious". Umm, I'm not into being "religious". I am into have a relationship with God and I'm pretty sure He is totally fine with me locking my family out and bringing Him into my bathroom. If you are a mom, I would presume on some level you are relating here ; )
We keep a devotional in our bathroom on a shelf. If you have a male in your home, you understand the concept of this I would believe. My husband spends "extended" periods in the bathroom - he's in there solo, there isn't any football game or children requesting his attention. He is "indisposed", his focus goes to the devotional book upon the shelf. Is there anything wrong with this? I'm thinking NOT. I don't know how the process goes behind the closed door, but I do know that there is time spent in quiet with God and I am a wife who is so grateful for the time he is making for Him. He may go into the bathroom and take the book off the shelf, bring it out and read it in his chair. Either way, I'm thankful for his efforts and finding the time with God when it is so easy to say "I don't have time".
Myself, sometimes I turn on the shower and read the daily message while waiting for the water to warm up. I close the book step into the shower and there beneath the hot water I have entered my prayer "closet". Sometimes when the mornings are rushed and I'm going in a number of directions, I hop into the shower and out without grabbing the book. I pray while in the shower and then open the book and lie it on the floor while I blow dry my hair. Head upside down, my focus the devotion, no outside noise (blow dryer drowning them out). And there are days when I enter the bathroom, slide the shower curtain open and sit on the edge of the tub. No one really knows what's taking place behind that door, but is the place where your family understands (most of the time!) privacy. I am able to walk in, close the door and invite God to come in and join me. Me and God there in our bathroom - in the quiet.
Quiet time, making time for devotions. I don't believe you need a private, well designed space in your home dedicated to your devotions. If you have one... you are blessed! I believe that God is present where ever you are, when you invite Him in. I don't think for one minute God is disappointed in my invitation to the bathroom in place of a quiet table in a corner with a beautiful view... do I think that would be nice, you betchya! Do I think it would make a difference? Absolutely not. Sometimes my time with God is spent sharing with Him along the river, a beautiful peaceful place. Sometimes in my garden while I turn the soil. And sometimes in my car as I go from destination A to B. God isn't concerned with where I meet Him. He simply wants to be met. He wants to hear from me, and He requests sometimes I am quiet and listen.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him. Psalms 62:5
Today, I am thankful for the quiet moments when I'm able to sneak away and enjoy my alone time with my God. I'm thankful that the invitation need not be fancy, I only need to say "Jesus" and He is there. I'm thankful that He not require a beautiful setting or a long well thought out agenda. I need only say "Jesus" and all the pieces are in place.