Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
This week has been a hectic one for me. I babysit the grands three different days, meet with the young man whom I'm mentoring for his senior project at school, cart my son to work numerous times, and entertain separate visits from Danny's boys, Giovanni and Nicco. And while none of these activities is unpleasant by any measure, my quiet time has really taken a hit.
You see, it's not enough for me to just have quiet time in the mornings, sipping my coffee and talking to God before anyone else is awake. While the practice always gets my day off on the right foot, I need multiple intervals of silence throughout the day to keep me focused on and in tune with what the Lord might speak to my heart.
And if I don't get enough of that time? Watch out! My usually easy-going, calm self gives way to feelings of agitation, irritability and frustration. In other words, I'm no fun to be around.
My alone time truly is for everyone's safety.
Jesus modeled this behavior perfectly for us. Luke says in the verse above that our Lord often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Not occasionally, not intermittently, but OFTEN. And we know how busy Jesus was, day in and day out, healing the sick, preaching the good news of God's kingdom, teaching His disciples and enjoying their company.
Still . . .
Jesus needed His quiet time. Time to spend in solitude with His Father. Time to commune, one-on-one, gathering strength and resolve, gleaning wisdom and guidance.
We all need that kind of quiet time.
So I ask you, in the sometimes frenetic pace of your own days, are you seeking out time to slow down and simply be with the Lord? Allowing Him to nourish and replenish you? Feeling His love and grace and mercy surround you like a healing balm?
My prayer for you today, my friends, is that you will intentionally withdraw from the world's chaos and demands, and joyfully bask in the presence of God.
He's waiting for you.
Amen!
I can so relate to this!
ReplyDeleteYes, Sandi, I definitely hear you!
DeleteLove and blessings!
There is so much chaos and confusion in the world at the moment, and your words bring a refreshing comfort. Thank you for sharing and warm greetings to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so gratified to know my words were a comfort to you today, Blogoratti. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I hear you! Thanks, Martha, for this good word.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mary! I so appreciate you stopping by.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Sounds like you and I are on the same wavelength this week Martha. I do a lot of praying throughout the day. Especially in the car while driving. Out loud! Thank you for the reminder to stop and seek God during the day. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Marcie. Yes, it sounds like we are on the same wavelength, and it's a great place to be!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes! Great word, Martha! My favorite line, "I need multiple intervals of silence throughout the day to keep me focused on and in tune with what the Lord might speak to my heart." Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that phrase resonated with you, Karen. It is so, so true that we need to be in God's presence as much as we possibly can.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh my goodness, your days are jammed, Martha. I'm absolutely with you on needing great big helpings of silence and solitude. Us introverts thrive on it ... and God uses it to reenergize us so we're ready to roll again when it's time to do so.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll find sweet pockets of grace and space this weekend, friend, and that Sabbath blessings will be yours.
I'm an introvert, too, Linda, so I completely relate to "big helpings of silence and solitude." But extroverts, I believe, need this time as well, maybe more than they know.
DeleteMay you have a marvelous weekend, too, filled with moments of heavenly silence.
Love and blessings!
Oh alone time with God is of the essence, Martha. It is what gave me peace (and strength!) to face a lot of my life's most difficult battles. I look forward to that "coffee date" with our Lord every single day. It's just the best part of my day, really. ❤️
ReplyDeleteI hope that you are able to squeeze in some alone time with our Lord everyday, Martha. Even if sometimes our schedules get hectic, I know He knows your intentions and would surely find a way for you to have that much-needed time with Him.
It's been a while since I visited your lovely blog. God bless you always, Martha! ❤️❤️❤️
Yes, it has been a while, Eneri, and I'm so happy to have you back! I love what you said about your "coffee date" with God being the best part of your day. It really is for me, too, as I can wake up slowly and allow Him to lay the day out before me. And I do take time, intentionally, for those alone moments. So crucial for me as I noted in the post.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I hear you! The beginning of this week was unusually busy for me. I could feel how depleted I was. Yesterday I took a day to stay home and be quiet. (I call these pajama days!) Lots of time for prayer, meditation, contemplation. I felt so much better--refreshed and renewed. I feel the same way about my weekends at the cabin, away from phone, TV, and internet.
ReplyDeletePajama days . . . We all need more of those, Galen, that's for sure! I have a friend who dedicates an entire day each month (at least) to nothing but prayer, scripture and inspirational reading, and contemplation. That's a goal I have yet to reach, but a lofty and worthy one.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, praying you get some respite this weekend :) You are such a great grandma. I love reading about your adventures with the kiddos.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Beckie, I will squeeze those pockets in somewhere/somehow even though we have Virginia with us this weekend. Lol! It might only be the early morning times for me on Saturday and Sunday, but I'm looking forward to the fun I'll have with her.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you for this reminder...and I must admit that I have been neglecting this "alone time" with the Lord lately. It just seems like there have been too many interruptions and things on the "to do" list. I find that my Secret Garden is beckoning me to come and sit and be still before the Lord...but as soon as I try something happens to break into my quiet time...and it is so hard to get it back. Praying about this. After the wedding in November I hope things will get back to some kind of normal...but then there are the holidays....wow...where has this year gone? Thank you for being a strong friend and example for me. I appreciate you more than you know!
ReplyDeletePamela, to begin with, I want to thank you for being such a warm, caring friend and inspiration to me!
DeleteYes, with the wedding coming up followed by the holidays, your calendar does look a bit crazy, but I feel sure you will find time, maybe if it's only ten minutes, to retreat to your Secret Garden and rest in the Lord. Fall is coming, and I'll bet your garden is the perfect place to be right now.
Love and blessings!
Great post! Whenever someone questions my need for alone time, I remind them that Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to spend time in prayer and reflection!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Robin! I'm glad that's exactly what you tell others when they wonder why you need to retreat. Jesus is our best example!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I am with you. I really reallly need that quiet time even more so on crazy days!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Jean, we both do, don't we? Can't really live the life we are meant to without that all important alone time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I can relate Martha. My mornings are so important to me! I used to tell myself "I will get it later in the day." Nope. It gets pushed out. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteYes, Bill, we definitely have to take those times when they best suit our style and schedule. I know you are an early riser, so this makes perfect sense!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, Thank you for sharing this post; it's one I can relate to more than you could know. At this point, I'm mostly responsible for any interruptions--they happen, nevertheless. I hope you're able to have some quality and quantity quiet and alone time with the Lord in the days ahead!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, I know you can absolutely relate, Kim. It's so darned easy to get distracted by even the little things. As I face this week, there are a lot of obligations on my plate, but I'll still carve out that all-necessary quiet time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Martha! What an inspiration you are to take a few breaks during the day to stay in tune with the Lord. I just love that. I also have a time in the day, usually early, when I pray in the quiet. But your ability to do it more than once has really helped me see how good that would be.
ReplyDeleteI just got back from a silent retreat (as you know) and I know how beneficial quiet is. I'm going to strive to do it more!
I'm in the middle of the second book you sent me, and I'm really enjoying it :)
Blessings,
Ceil
Yes, Ceil, your retreat sounded delightful in so many ways, but especially those times for quiet and reflection. We can always make time during the day, even if it's only for ten minutes, to spend purposeful time with the Lord. With the week ahead, I'm really going to have to work at this. Lol!
DeleteGlad you're enjoying the second book, too!
Love and blessings!