Finding Quiet Time in a Chaotic Life

 Quiet time…what exactly is that? If you are parents, that is the moment between the children finally collapsing into slumber and your eyes also closing due to exhaustion. It’s hard finding a quiet moment in our chaotic lives. Between waking the children up in the morning, getting everyone dressed, fixing breakfast, dropping the little ones off at daycare, the sitter, or a camp, hustling at work, picking everyone up at the end of the day, rushing home, fixing dinner, having family time, preparing for bed…(do it all again tomorrow) where exactly is the time for quietness?

As a long time educator, my students would tell me they did not have time to get their homework done at night. I asked them to make a chart of their routines from the time they returned home until bedtime. What the students found was some ‘wasted time.’ This was the amount of time sitting in front of the tv or playing video games for several hours. They learned it was possible to carve out one or two hours for homework during their schedules.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”

Everyone has an opinion of what our quiet time should look like and when it should happen. Some believe it must be in the morning, so you should get up hours before everyone else. Others believe it should be at the end of the day before you go to sleep and after everyone else has gone to bed.

I believe it is whenever and wherever you can focus on yourself and the LORD. Quiet time is not about sitting quietly, drinking a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage), and pondering about the mysteries of life. Quiet time is about sitting alone with the LORD, pouring out  your heart, concerns, fears, sorrow, and gratitude. It’s about worshipping our FATHER for HIS mercy and grace, for answered prayers. It’s about listening for the quiet voice in your mind that calms your fears, gives you people to pray over, and provides verses to learn.

I may stomp on some toes, but how much time do you spend on social media that could be dedicated to quiet time? I’ve already hurt my toes thinking about that question. Quiet time does not have to be at home. It can be in your car (eyes open please) without any music or background noise as you travel to work or the store. Quiet time could be outside, in a swing or chair, experiencing GOD’s beauty.

Quiet time with the LORD is not about giving him your laundry list of  wants and needs. It’s about knowing more about HIM. We can’t learn and experience our FATHER if we aren’t spending time with Him. 

Picking the perfect quiet time is an individual’s choice. I have friends who rise early for their morning quiet time, and I have friends who have evening quiet times. When I could drive, my quiet time was in the car on my way to work. Now, it’s in the evening with  my journal, Bible, prayer devotional, and a cup of coffee. 

I am a work in progress when it comes to quiet time. When I started this journey a few months ago, I asked GOD to help me with my dogs. They would be running around, fussing, and wanting my attention. They have learned that mommy is not playing with them, so they now lay down around me, and snore.

Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…”

If you’re wondering how to do a quiet time, there are many suggestions by individuals more knowledgeable and experienced than I am. But…this is what I do. I turn on my Spotify worship play list and sing along.

1 Chronicles 16:34 “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

I have a prayer devotional I found at a Christian book store, The 30-Day Prayer Challenge for Women, by Barbour Books. I will read that day’s prayer challenge. I then write in my journal all of the blessings I have received that day and give thanks for them. Whether we believe it or not, we receive blessings, great and small, every day. 

Next, I write my prayers for others. We have so many friends and family who are going through struggles, so they need our prayers, too. Last, I ask my personal prayers and concerns. The very last part of my quiet time is true quietness. The tv is not on; no music is playing. I ask the HOLY SPIRIT to give me the name of someone who is struggling that I can call or pray specifically for. I also ask for a scripture to study.

That is just a sample of what a quiet time can look like. If you are attending church somewhere, reach out to one of the prayer warriors, and they’ll help you get started. My future goal is to have a prayer room or closet like the one in the movie “War Room.”  (https://youtu.be/DV4FxJErRKg?si=XqQennhag_sOlAWo)

I have learned so much as I have started my quiet time. The LORD has shared what HE needs me to do. I’ve been given scriptures that I needed to learn from. At times, those scriptures are uplifting, and at other times, they are teaching me personal lessons. If I stayed on social media constantly, I would be missing out on GOD’s messages and lessons for me.

Believe it or not, after spending time with the LORD in the evenings, I have a more restful sleep. I have given HIM my problems and concerns, so they aren’t floating around in my head, keeping me up at night. I have noticed that if I skip a quiet time because I feel too tired, I don’t sleep nearly as well.

I pray you find your quiet time with the LORD. 

Psalm 62:5 “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”

Isaiah 41:10 “…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”




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