I’ve never liked the phrase ‘quiet time’ all that much. I was a good girl who went to Bible College so I’ve not always been brave enough to admit it. In the past, that word was associated with something I was supposed to do, but I wasn’t sure exactly what: Is reading one verse enough? What about one chapter? Should I read the whole book? Memorize something? The list was endless.
To me, there is a depth of intimacy and relevancy that is missing in that phrase ‘quiet time’. Here’s what I mean: Five years ago, I had two babies at one time. Babies. With an ’s’ on the end. And they were a longed-for, welcomed part of our family. They also came two months early with lots of needs and lots of poop.
The transition from normal person to crazy mom was anything but smooth. Their first year was a blurry, watercolor mess of emotion. I was both depressed and elated, an inadequate hero, a shadow disguised as a woman.
What’s my point? My point is that year I learned what it meant to depend on Jesus as my source of life more than I ever had before. And it didn’t happen at 6 am every morning with my coffee and my pen and my cozy blanket by the fire. It happened at 3 am with two screaming babies and spit up running down my leg, that is how it happened.
Did I read my Bible that year? Sure. Did I pray that year? You’d better believe it. But it began to look different than it had before. There is a time for cozy blankets and journals. There is also a time for gut wrenching, soul searching on your knees, for joy unspeakable and peace unwavering and mourning with the ugly cry. Life is fluid, it ebbs and flows in cycles of busy and rest, crisis and joy. We have a Creator who knows about that swing. He set it into motion. He is not afraid of our life stages. It doesn’t hinder Him. He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Tags: rest
78 comments
Glory to God that he isn’t afraid of our life stages and that he doesn’t care when and how we have our time with him. He just wants us. Everyday.
Emily,
You follow your heart and you listen to your Creator. You are wise to trust and to follow along.
Your pictures are so sweet, and warm, and compassionate.
I hope that this stage of your life flows smoothly, and that all is okay.
Marcy
I am a 48 year-old devoutly Christian woman who has always struggled with “quiet time’. I am happy to say that I finally found something that works for me. I have a pretty journal that has an awesome verse at the top of every page. I read that verse and think about it. Today’s was Psalm 37:4. Then I read my two favorite on-line daily devotionals. Almost always, there is something that touches my heart, and I write a little about it. It will be fun to go back later and read what I have written. I do this Mon.-Fri. What matters is that I feel successful that this system works for me, after experiencing lots of other systems that I did not continue with.
Simply beautiful and so, so true. You are always so inspiring.
Beautiful. You know how to make a girl cry on a Monday morning.
Wow. I needed this. Thank you as always.
Thanks for the reminder Emily. I have been in a season where the “quiet times” (I’m not crazy about that term either) have been an will continue to be few and far between. In my head I feel like I need to set aside an hour of uninterrupted time and for the next few years, that might just not be realistic at all.
Emily,
You are so precious and I love you… sweet, loving daughter.
the photo of you with your girls is so lovely… and the words surrounding it equally so. the peace that can only come through Jesus… even amongst the flurry of activity. i’m not really a quiet time kind of girl… once in a great while i have the chance to sit and do nothing but be with God… but more often than not He & i communicate on the go… in the car… doing the dishes… flopped across the bed in crisis. i love that He knows who i am and accepts that the cozy fire and blanket is not for me… i love your post today!
(i have this great kids book… Can I Pray With My Eyes Open? by Susan Taylor Brown. it is one of my favorites!)
thank. you.
Steph
I love how you know how to say things that I can’t verbalize. Thank you!
My quiet time this morning was full of distractions. They weren’t crying babies but they were loud, demanding voices, that nothing else could hush but me. I am inadequate to the task because I am also a “shadow disguised as a woman”. You remind me that the compassionate, abiding, gracious God standing strong in your weakness is also mine. I am encouraged.
I remember when the girls were born and being so impressed that you had it all together. You made it look so easy.
What a sweetly worded post. I love your words.
My sweet Emily, you should write a book! So many other women would find encouragement in your words, than you can reach with this blog.
Beautiful. Those tiny babies make me tear up…precious. Thank you for illuminating the truth that God meets us where we are. For me, quiet time has always been anything but consistent. I long for cozy by the fire or serene on a screen porch…but most of the time communion doesn’t look like that (for me.)
Love that….and needed it today. Thank you.
I needed to hear this. I beat myself up about not having a quiet time. But with two little boys, life looks different than when I “could” sit down for hours at a time with my Bible. Thanks!
Well, that may just be the most adequate description of having a relationship with God I have ever read. I love it. Thanks!
awww this is so inspirational! This is touching and encouraging Emilie!
I’ve been there with God, too, and I only had my babies one at a time! Love the certainty that He is there with His love, especially in those times, no matter where/when/what my hair looks like.
Those pictures bring back memories! We call that year (nearly 10 years ago for me) the Year Without Sleep, but you’re right, there was no set time to rise and spend with Him. Instead, like you, I was just clinging… beautifully put.
So true, girl. So true. You are precious!
Great post.
Happy Monday!
“He is not afraid of our life stages. It doesn’t hinder Him. ..”
Thank you, Emily. This is a profound reminder for me…
10 years ago when I was a stressed out, first-year, 1st grade teacher in a Title I school, my best quiet times were the 25 minute drives to school every morning. That is when I learned that communion + intimacy with God can happen just about anywhere at any time.
Then, I had twins of my own and found myself with little time and little sleep equalling an emotional basketcase. It was during that first 2 years, my lowest of lows, my darkest of days, that I discovered intimacy with God in a whole new way. It was at my deepest, darkest moments that my spirit cried out to God, and He was there. His presence was sweeter, closer than ever.
God is so faithful to His kids. Through the process, I’ve learned to not put ‘rules’ on intimacy with the Lord but to just have an open heart and spirit towards him throughout my day. I’ve learned that the Word feeds my spirit like nothing else can, that it is so rewarding and refreshing, and to make time for it in my day too. But the rigidness of what I perceived that others expected a quiet time to look like is gone.
oh this is so true! my best “quiet times” came in those early years of motherhood. hind sight is 20/20 and i know it now. i wish i’d only had grace for myself then and hadn’t felt like i needed to check something off MY spiritual to-do list. i know now God does not have a spiritual to-do list for me…ahhh, freedom!
..amen sweet sister of mine…it has been 36 years since i first became a mother…but i remember it well…those babies… so fresh from Jesus…teach us so much about Him and His presence in our lives…”quiet time” usually happens in the loudest of times…
amen… well said… and sometimes that “year” turns into “two years”.
And again I say Amen!
Loved the pictures, they bring back many sweet and tired memories I had forgotten I had.
what sweet pictures. either i haven’t read far back enough in your archives or you hardly ever talk about those early years with twins, but i wonder.
i know what you mean. this past 6 months when i’ve been up frequently in the middle of the night, first i start praying that God will please oh please let her sleep and then i start praying for others. this, and my walking time (which is not every day but the up in the middle of the night thing is) is the only time i can really, completely focus on prayer (without praying like amber @runamok posted recently with rabbit trails all through). and i wonder, is this why she’s still not sleeping at night? God is still giving me my quiet time for a reason.
That’s such an incredible way to put it! My quiet differs from what people claim to be normal. But it works for *me* and that’s what counts.
I think every new mommy needs to hear this. I “lost” my discipline when Anja was born, and have never fully regained that morning routine, mostly because routine plus a baby or toddler? Doesn’t usually happen as planned. Now with the second on the way, I’m hoping I can even squeeze in as much “God and I time” (what we called it growing up) as I do now. But His voice reminds me that part of my current “God and I time” is “God and we time,” and that training can and will be sweet and good.
Emily,
Oh my….you have a gift and you are wonderful at it! Thank you so much for this post. It really hit home and well…if I’m honest made me shed a tear (or 2!).
P.S. the picture of you and the babies is priceless :>)
Amen! I totally agree that mom’s with little ones are in such a different stage of our walk with the Lord. Thanks for the reminder to be gracious to ourselves.
Lovely words from a lovely woman. Thanks!
This is very encouraging. Your pictures are wonderful! I could just squeeze your babies!
love, love, love this post. well written and so true…
-Holly
a mommy to a highly demanding 3 yo and a 3 mo
I love this. Beautiful, beautiful post.
I just wanted to thank you for posting this today. I was having “one of those” days and you helped me remember that God is in control. Thanks.
Love this. Although in my growing-up church the label was “morning revival” – ha ha. With 2 littles and another due to arrive in less than 2 months, I think both Morning Revival and Quiet Time are going into a season of retirement…
Lately I’ve discovered the prayer “Lord, get me through the next five minutes…”
Beautifully phrased Emily…but more importantly- wisely spoken.
Wish I was going to hear you speak…you will do wonderful!
in the midst of a life rollercoaster myself … i sure love this post!
What a beautiful post.
Um… great story and all (and so full of TRUTH that I’ve learned first-hand–thank you for reminding me), but tell me this…how in the great heavens did you have twins, but only a single chin? I had one child at a time and with each, have birthed-forth twin chins.
I might need some quiet time, now, I think.
Your friendly neighborhood lurker again…I have twin girls too!! They are 8 yo and then also have my two “bookend boys” ages 5 and 12.
I too have struggled with being consistent with a quiet time for many years. Thanks for a most thoughtful post…
Beautiful post. Beautiful…I would say that is what the past year and a half has been for me.
Emily -
So very funny, since this a.m. God literally woke me from a deep sleep, not with the call of a child as is typically my alarm, but just the gentle reminder to say, “didn’t you want to wake up with me this morning?” I put him off for one more hour, but did wake to Him. I wish I could say the day was easier. It was a tough day. But, I started it right.
Here’s to you, Girlie. And finding your time.
Karin
Beautiful. Your words seem to say it all.
This is one of your most beautiful posts, ever. I’m in awe.
i don’t have quiet time righteousness either
just His……loved all the comments
Well said. I loved this post – just like I love all of your posts!
I’m living it right now, Emily. Thanks for putting it into words and sharing your story. Love you!
So well said. I believe that we are to be in touch with our Creator all the time. In the car, while folding laundry or cooking dinner. He’s just a breath away.
Thank you Emily for another one of your lovely postings.
This one really touched a heart string for me. Thanks for sharing your heart with us all.
Dear Emily,
Yes. You’re right. And you are right and good and wise to say these things out loud. Thank you for doing so. I think it takes no small amount of courage to say, “I met God when I had spit up running down my leg” rather than when I was sitting by the fire, or strolling by the river, or running through the meadow. The most important thing is the point you make: God is able to go with us through those ebbs and flows, always glad to meet us when we turn to Him. It helps me to remember that it’s part of his character never to break a bruised reed. Would that I could become more and more like that.
I think the world of you.
Okay, I know I really needed to be reminded of this and it was really good, but I also know that I miss the point and my one burning question is, how did you have two babies and come out with no double chin and a thin face? I’m so jealous.
I couldn’t write initially , Emily, letting those words slither and swim and float around me .
I remember , I held on , I waver still.
Your palms up grace sends me trembling as we walk into the yet unknown.
God bless you and all your loves.
So true. So beautiful. So perfectly written. Thanks for sharing your heart on this matter. I was really encouraged by it!
I don’t even know what to say. I loved that post. My swing of life hasn’t seen rest in awhile…if I don’t keep pumping I might fall off
Thank you for your words.
Something about babies makes you realign your purpose. And lose a little dignity! After my fifth baby, my expectations were so low that my prayers were in the shower. It was my only alone quiet time. Thanks for taking me back a few years to that time of love and need wrapped into one.
Great post! I too am a Pastor’s wife and mother of twin girls! who will be 12 in October, Plus two Boys. I know of what you speak well!
I’ve never really been good at diligently setting aside a quiet time, and I’ve felt guilty over it too. Your post is so dead-on though. I think being a Christian means I have moment-by-moment interactions with Jesus during every part of my day. His name is the first I call in trouble, joy, or thankfulness. Sometimes my prayer time is calling out to Him over a sink-full of dishes, or pausing to remember someone in need while I’m cleaning the toilet. I’m not perfect at this, but I want to live in such a way that I walk with Him daily. Moment by moment.
Tears again. You keep me in Kleenex!
What a great post. I’ve never known what quiet time was or looked like. And I’ve never done what it seems other people do in this time. This despite having twice led a year long adventure reading through the Bible with a bunch of homeschool buddies.
At some point in the last few months are Sunday school class had a friend’s husband speak about how to do “study” of a section of verse where we went through a bunch of steps. I can remember thinking why would anybody make all these “observations” about scripture and weren’t they starting to get a little thin? I was even bold enough to ask when you would do this sort of study at my table, but I just got a bunch of puzzled looks.
We should learn the Bible intimately and make it so that when we consider what to do and say we do nothing out of step with God, but how we do that will vary from person to person and time to time. Formulas and empty intellectual games won’t get us there.
thank you so much for that! a word aptly spoken and just the encouragment i need in this season of my life.
I really needed to read this. I’m a homeschooling mom of 5 kiddoes aged 9 and under and I’ve always felt guilty that my quiet time was a little less than quiet and sometimes came in short spurts. I love your blog and your sister’s too. Thanks for the encouragement.
I feel pretty privileged to get to hear you say things like this in real life. Will you call me and tell me this around, say, the middle of November?
wow. thank you for the unexpected blessing this morning!
I’m happy I came to this post tonight. It made me smile at you – but also at our loving God.
You are the best, Emily!
Oh how I love this. Very rarely do I have a “quiet” time. But I have a “loud” time on a daily basis! Loudly singing along to the praise music while my boys beat the drums; loudly marching to and from the laundry room; loudly herding boys back to their seats for meals and grace; loudly wrestling, loving, tugging, parenting. Loud times are my times with God these days. And they are better than my quiet times ever were.
[...] with God Jump to Comments So I was reading this great post recently about another mother; she went a year without having a quiet time (aka devotional, quality, alone time with God). Not surprisingly it was the same year she had [...]
Hi, I really enjoyed this post. I have not read your blog before but a friend referred me to this post. Our church has a MOMS group that meets once a month and we publish a newsletter for our group. We would like to use this post in one of our newsletters. Please let me know if I can have permission for that and if you have any questions.
Thanks for being an encouragement to moms.
Melinda
Yes, well said! 3 years ago I too brought home two little bundles of joy born at 26weeks. Those days were hard. God however, in his grace surrounded us and they were precious moments in time. God simply carried us and our 13 month old son through many trips back and forth to the NICU and then when the girls came home from the hospital. That first year was hard with a 13 month old and 2 babies on oxygen but I am so grateful for the lessons it taught us and for the peace and presence we felt from the Almighty God who indeed holds this universe in his hands. He takes us down roads we would never choose for ourselves and they are part of his grace in our lives. My days are still very busy and I needed your words today as I am wrestling with not having a quiet time yet finished today.
I do in fact, have a God who relentlessly pursues me, a husband who loves me, and 3 healthy children who delight us more and more each day. Praise be to God!
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Lina Sandell, Swedish
“Though I was supported by Thee and living with Thee as thy guest, yet I was insensible to Thy presence; -intent only on a small section of the visible course of things;” -William Kay
“Yet I am perpetually with Thee, Thou has laid hold on my right hand, Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel and afterward receive me in glory…And as for me, the nearness to my God is my good; I have put my trust in the Lord God.” (Psalm 73:23, 24, 28)
The pictures, what you capture with them here, are remarkable. I love the first black and white. And the one of you sleeping with your babies, with an ’s’. You look beautiful.
I love this post…..Praise God He never changes, no matter what we go through. Thanks for the reminder!
I am a new follower of your blog and I just read this post at precisely the right time. I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and while I’m really excited, i’m also nervous about what that’ll mean for my sanity and my relationship with my 15 month old son Liam. I know that God planned this baby and loves him/her more than anything. He will give me the strength to multi task, give Liam the patience and acceptance for sharing his Mama, and make it all work out just fine. I can’t imagine the strength and faith it took with two tiny babies at the same time and I’m complaining about how I’m gonna handle one and a toddler! Love your blog…thanks for the encouragement!
I realize this is a really old post, but I just discovered your blog (through Remodeling This Life) and started reading. The first post I read was about how you felt you didn’t have a niche in the blog world… then I linked over to this post. Wow – what a great post!
I have twins as well, who were also born early – three months early exactly. And I’ve also always been a good, Christian girl who struggled with the broadness of quiet time! So, thank you for this post. I also learned in the first year of my twins’ life the same thing you did – that quiet time just happened – and that it wasn’t alway quiet! But sometimes I need to be reminded of this. Just because I’m not up for 3 am feedings anymore doesn’t mean that God doesn’t understand and more importantly ORDAIN the season of life I am in right now… with three toddlers! I’m not sure if this makes sense, I’m sort of rambling.
All that to say, thank you! What a great reminder for me tonight!
What a beautiful post. “an inadequate hereo, a shadow disguised as a woman.” I relate to that right now. That’s how I’m feeling – and yes “quiet times” are not cozy blankets and journals or even very “quiet.” I think my whole day is like one big “quiet time” as I lean on Jesus to get me through the day – and it does feel more intimate and real than ever before. Thanks for sharing this.