I have read countless books, blogs and devotions on the importance of quiet time each morning and I’m convinced that absolutely none of those writers have any children. If your home is anything like ours, there are not very many quiet moments throughout the day. In fact, with three boys, we have learned to do loud really well at our home. With the constant noise and commotion that often fill our mornings, Renea and I have found it very difficult at times to find quiet time where we can shut out the world and solely focus on the things of the Lord. Before children, quiet time was simple. We could easily wake up, pour ourselves a cup of coffee, and simply enjoy spending time with Jesus. Now we find ourselves hitting the snooze button 37 times and running through the house like crazy people trying to get everyone ready for school. Oh and remember that delicious cup of hot coffee you used to sip while reading your devotions? Yea, me neither.  Being parents is hard. Trying to be parents without coffee in the mornings is even harder!

If you’re like me, there are times when you miss those quiet days you used to experience before life became noisier, crazier and….more beautiful. You see, my boys completely ruined my morning routine and for that I’m so thankful!  Over time my morning quiet time had become more of a habit and routine rather than a meeting with the Lord. Looking back, my quiet time had become nothing more than a check box I could check to make myself feel good throughout the day. It took me far too long to realize that God’s invitation for knowing and seeking Him was so much broader than a simple time slot.

I get it. A lot of us desire some sense of order in our daily lives. We have strict routines that we live by and we strive every day to follow those set orders and routines so that everyone in the family can live to see another day. When it comes to our spiritual lives, though, we have to be cautious not to confine our quiet time with the Lord to a certain time slot. Psalm 1:2 instructs us to meditate upon the Word of God day and night. There are going to be mornings when your children wake up early and your quiet time is going to be interrupted. Refuse to believe the lie that your day is ruined because your children got in the way of you and the Lord. Your children aren’t interruptions to your spiritual growth. They are opportunities for you to know Jesus even more! Just because life got in the way of your morning devotions doesn’t mean you can’t spend time with Jesus all throughout the rest of your day. We aren’t instructed to only seek the Lord in the mornings. We are instructed to seek Him diligently each and every day.

I absolutely love my wife and the example she is setting in our home in regards to seeking the Lord. On any given day you will find her Bible open somewhere in the house as she spends time with the Lord in between playing super heroes and cleaning up messes. There honestly isn’t a day that I come home that Christian music isn’t playing in the living room or kitchen. There have even been times that I have come home to find her sitting in the floor listening to a sermon while the boys play with their toys. Little does she know that she’s showing our boys how to diligently seek the Lord each and every day. Sure, there are mornings when everything works out and we’re both able to wake up early and enjoy quiet time together but there are also plenty of mornings when she doesn’t make it there and that’s ok. It doesn’t stop her from seeking the Lord and spending time with her Creator throughout the day. Proverbs 8:17 reads, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” I encourage you to seek the Lord daily…diligently seek Him! Don’t be discouraged when life happens. Jesus is always around both day and night and isn’t bothered by the interruptions of your children. In fact, He welcomes them (Matthew 19:14). Spend time with Jesus this week. He is longing for a relationship with you and is always just a whisper away.

Praying for you always,
Dustin