Have a Fresh Cup

Ahh, quiet time with God. I would love to tell you that I get up every morning, an hour early, just so I can spend 60 blissful minutes in His presence, no distractions, no bunny trails, no thoughts of anything but the goodness of our Lord, and those I am lifting to him in prayer. I would love to tell you that, but I can't. It would be a lie.

In reality, I am a multitasker and mornings are not my favorite time of day. I tend to wake up early, but functioning on all cylinders comes much later in the day. My prayer time in the morning goes more like this...

The alarm on my phone goes off, I have it set on Jesus Loves Me, just so I wake up to that sweet reminder. I roll over and find my phone, usually on the nightstand, but sometimes hidden somewhere in my covers or under my pillow. I'm not sure how that happens, but it does. Once I silence the alarm and convince myself it's time to get out of bed, I greet the day with a whisper, "Good Morning, Lord. Thank you for waking me up this morning, and for the opportunities you are about to put in front of me today. Help me choose your will and your ways, lead me and guide me." 

That is followed by a fast trip downstairs to the restroom, I'm over 40, some things cannot wait. Minutes later, in the shower, hair full of shampoo, I often pray for my husband. It's important to pray for our husbands daily...Why in the shower? Why not? I pray for his safety, God's favor on his life, I pray that God will prosper and bless the work of his hands and that he will guard his mind and heart a world full of things that ensnare the desires of  men.

On my morning drive I love to sing praises or meditate on the Word. I have 30 minutes from my house to work. But, I have to admit, I also love to talk to my mom on speaker phone during my drive. So, often the 30 minutes is split between worship and mom-time.

To some people this admission of multitasking makes me an awful Christian, especially as a Christian speaker. I just can't schedule a, "daily quiet time." I tried for years, only to be filled with guilt when I missed it. That guilt made me avoid conversing with my Savior altogether sometimes, because it only made me feel worse, that I wasn't giving him that hour. 

I searched the scriptures for the place it told me to sit for an hour every morning, or every evening. I couldn't find it. Yes, there are plenty of times when God's word tells us to come into His presence, there are multiple scriptures that talk about being quiet before God and listening for His voice. As believers, we know that God wants a relationship with us. A give and take, speak and listen, hang out with us, relationship.
It was the revelation of freedom to me. I do hang out with him. In fact, my day is filled with speaking to Him, and listening for His voice. It's called being led by the Holy Spirit. I don't have to schedule an hour, I can abide in Him and He in me.
John 15:4 (NLT-2007) Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.


I don't need to schedule quiet time, I need to REMAIN there...not stopping the daily responsibilities, but doing them, with HIM. Remaining in constant communication is far more important than a daily appointment.

I don't know if any of you have ever felt guilty because an hour of quiet time doesn't fit your personality, but God created YOU to remain in Him. Sure, there are times of study, and there are times of deeper prayer, supplication, fasting, according to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives and hearts. But where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM, not condemnation.

So, if you are a scheduler, and love that hour, first thing in the morning, or right before bed, DO IT. But be sure you are remaining in Him outside of that time. If you are like me, and your prayer time, and conversations with God, are more scattered throughout your day, DO IT. But be sure you are remaining in Him, constantly, consistently, and not allowing the distractions of the world to take you out of His Word.

Blessings and Freedom come when we are in true and pure relationship with Jesus. And whatever that looks like in your life, God is the only one who knows your heart toward Him. And HE LOVES YOU, just the way HE created you.

Blessings and Joy to all, In Jesus Name. 

Pamela