The not so perfect quiet time

     When I was single and in my twenties, I used to have epic quiet times.   I had graduated from both a Christian College and a Christian Seminary (are you impressed yet?) and I just knew that the only way God was going to bless my days was if I had forty five minute to an hour quiet time.  If I did not perfectly fill in all the blanks in my Bible study, somehow my day would be wrecked!  

    

     Now as a mom of a six year old and a two year old, having that managed morning quiet time can be a little bit challenging.  Yet, I know that if I do not start my day in prayer and Bible study (even if just for a few minutes), that chaos will ensue in both my heart and in my home.  There are days that the girls stay in their beds all through the night and I wake up refreshed at the beeping of my alarm clock, when I do have those great, 30-45 minute quiet times.  Then there are mornings when the night before was rough and the morning rush begins a little too early, when my quiet time consists of reading one or two quick Bible verses and says a brief prayer. 

     Two resources that have really helped me is getting a daily email devotion from  IF:Equip and Christine Caine.  

You too can receive the emails at

1. IF: Equip     http://www.ifequip.com/

2. Christine Caine  http://www.christinecaine.com/

I know that everyone has their opinions on who are their favorite speakers and writers.  For me at the stage in my life, these two resources are both challenging and encouraging.  

Let me encourage you try to start you day with even just a few minutes with the Lord!  You will be surprised how much better you will be grounded throughout your day.
"On Christ the Solid ROCK I stand, all other ground is SINKING SAND!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjR_A2pGPrY

Psalms 5:11-12

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name

may rejoice in you.

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with

your favor as with a shield."

I love Christmas! We do Christmas BIG at our house!  I love decorating my house, placin precious ornaments on our tree and carefully hanging up our stockings on our fireplace.  I love to dress my girls in matching footed Christmas pj's, to drive around and look at Christmas lights while sipping on hot chocolate.  I love how my girls are now old enough to help me set out and set up their own Fisher Price Nativity scene.  Of course they remember to put the wise me in a different place from the manager....because the wise men did not come see Jesus until he was home and was more like 2 1/2 years old.  They were not at the manager!  

My most favorite Christmas tradition is gathering together with my extended family.  I love hanging out and hugging the necks of my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, my brother,sister in law and my niece and nephew.  We eat a delicious lunch made up of casseroles, salads and yummy desserts.  We watch the kids run around, ride on riding toys and make our hearts swell as we listen to them giggle over secret jokes.  It is a day full of laughter, joy, reminiscing, memory making and love.

Like everybody else's family ours is not perfect.  We have our flaws.  We have had hurts and failures.  We have lost jobs, moved to different states, dealt with hard changes, had our heart broken, said goodbye to love ones, but through it all we held each other tight.  We have also shared great joy and happiness with each other.  We have had weddings, new jobs, exciting opportunities, new houses bought and lots of babies born!  Through it all, we have clung to the truth of words from the old hymn, "On Christ the solid ROCK we stand, all other ground is sinking sand."  No matter if we are on the top of the mountain experiencing great joy  or the in the valley, struggling to get our footing, the true constant in my family's life is the love, power and grace of the LORD, JESUS CHRIST!  In the days and moments when life is tough we cling to the Lord and on the days and moments when life is grand, we give thanks to the Lord.  

As much as I love all the fun of Christmas.  I love the ONE we celebrate on Christmas even more!!