When we all finally nod together, acknowledging that we're each unique, women also need to remember that there are seasons in life. We won't always have lots of free time or none. Likewise, sometimes we have tons to do and other times, not so much. So as we pursue the quiet life of seeking God, it won't look the same today as it does next week or even next month.
When a mother has young children, she's not going to have the time to do lots of quiet Bible study type things alone. There is a good reason that God exhorts the unmarried woman to be about the things of the Lord. The unmarried woman has the time to spend copious amounts of her hours engulfed in "quiet time" and ministry during her single years. An older woman, whose children are older or grown, will also be better able to dedicate quiet hours.
What about the in between years and women who come to Christ after she has children? For that, there's the grace of a quiet life. These are some of the ways I've found to help me live a it:
1.) Read Scripture with your children at each meal or when you wake up and before bed or both. Start at Genesis keep reading. Do it several times a day. Bless them as you bless yourself by reading God's Word out loud. If they have questions, wonderful! It means they are listening. Answer them if you can or find the answers if you can't. Being future kings and priests, they need to hear Scripture everyday as well - even when they aren't big enough to read it themselves.
2.) Begin and end the day with prayer. Many years ago Rich and I decided that we would get the children up with us at 5:30AM to pray. Each morning they pile on a half awake Momma and we teach them to pray by praying with them, out loud, about the things on our hearts. They have learned to pray by listening to mature prayers and praying themselves. Bedtime and mealtime are other wonderful opportunities to pray with them.
3.) Pray during the day in good times and bad. Cultivate a habit of thanking the Lord for his blessings. Thank God for the sunshine and the rain, your food and dessert. Pray for wisdom when a difficult situation comes up or when you hear an emergency siren. Go to him when you are at a loss for words. Seek to order your day according to his priorities.
4.) Listen to sermons throughout the day while doing quiet tasks. Ponder and pray about what the speaker is saying. Ask God for wisdom and truth. Let your little ones hear it too.
5.) Keep watch for God sightings. Look for God at work as you go about your day. Praise him for his blessings! Find places where God should be invited and isn't and then do so. (I confess, my kids did this at VBS this year, but I love it!)
Giving up the guilt of quiet time does not mean we skip or even scrimp on our relationship on with the Lord. It just changes from a once a day appointment to a daily walk with God. I find it more fulfilling.
As I've said before, I really appreciated Come As You Are when I read it. It freed my spirit quite a bit. If you're still struggling with quiet time and your Christian walk, it might be a great resource to look for.
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