This past week’s sermon was on a praying life which is something that I desire more and more. I was reminded that I don’t need to have it all together or that I am eloquent, but rather make it an ongoing conversation with my heavenly father with planned and spontaneous times.
I was challenged to actually get out of bed and have some time with Jesus to start my day. I usually set my alarm for 6:30 am and pray, read my bible on my phone, fall back asleep, wake up, pray etc until 7 am. No one usually bothers me because they think I am still sleeping.
Today I got up and got ready because I know if I walk over and sit in my chair, I will still fall back asleep. I need to shower and have breakfast. At 8:30 am, I had fed the kids and they were playing downstairs. I thought I could sneak away for just 10-15 minutes.
I sat down in my cozy green chair in the corner of my room, took a deep breath and opened my bible to the Psalms. No lie, not even 30 seconds later, Silas starts screaming at the top of his lungs for me. I chuckled to myself and thought, “Oh boy, this isn’t the best start. I thought my time was supposed to be uninterrupted.” He comes barging in my room to ask a question he knew the answer to. I shoo him out of the room.
Deep breath, take two.
Maybe a minute later, Max waltzes into my room wanting to start his math. I shoo him out of the room.
The dog starts barking like a crazy animal at the squirrels in our yard.
I hear kids bickering downstairs.
Max comes back into the room with his big brown eyes begging to start his math with him.
I ask him if he wants to snuggle a few minutes with his mommy while I get my heart happy in Jesus. He nodded his head and we sat together for a few minutes.
I laughed. God knew this would happen. It didn’t surprise him. I did have a few minutes of quiet and I think he was pleased at my feeble attempts. Someday this will be a distant memory and I will have an empty house and all the quiet time I would like. Today I am going to be grateful for the grace that God has given me to live life in the here and now. There is no perfect way to pray for which I am thankful. God says come as you are and that is enough.