A Little Piece of Quiet

I remember this delightful little book called "A Little Peace of Quiet" about an elephant mama trying to find a little time for herself soaking in a hot tub. I haven't been able to find it but I love the title because of it's play on words and because it reflects what we all as busy mothers are craving...a little piece(peace) of quiet.

Yesterday, I told the kids to carry on with their normal morning routine, I was going in to my room to read my Bible and have some quiet time. I would like to mention that, on the whole, they are very respectful of my devotional time but yesterday there were a few interruptions. They were brief, but interruptions none the less.

The humorous part was what the Lord was speaking to me about.

You see, I had been neglecting my time with the Lord in the last few days because I had been a little overly focused on reading blogs. My heavenly Father ever so gently showed me by the example of His Son, what is most important and what He wants most from me. I love how He coordinates my daily scripture reading with my devotional to make His point.

Here is the scripture used for my devotional reading from Our Daily Bread on October 31st, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. (Mark 6:31-32)

Then from my daily reading in my One Year Bible for March 31st (don't ask, that's just where I am), When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then He took them with Him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida. (Luke 9:10)
And then again from my devotional reading, And when He had sent the away, He departed to the mountain to pray. (Mark 6:46).

The question raised in the devotional was this, "How often do I travel the quiet road with Jesus? Do I exit the fast lane of my responsibilities and concerns to focus my attention on Him for a time each day?"*

Such a good question. Do I do that? Am I making my time with Him a priority? Or (in my case) am I sitting down to my computer first thing in the morning and using up all my available time with Him?

What God was showing me was that His Son, Jesus Christ did exit the fast lane to get away to be near to the heart of His Father. He got alone with His Father, not to neglect His responsibilities, but to be prepared to meet them. And He encouraged His disciples to do the same.
I too often get too focused on the responsibilities and neglect my time with my father in heaven. It is not irresponsible when I take time to be alone with Him. It is, in fact, the only way to meet my responsiblities with the grace, wisdom, and patience they need to be met with. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

There is a place of quiet rest,

Near to the heart of God;

A place where sin cannot molest,

Near to the heart of God.

~McAfee

*Our Daily Bread, David McCasland, October 31, 2007