Quiet Time

Recently Allen Arnold wrote about a sign on a Mexican restaurant that read “In a hurry? Come back when you are not.” It seems each order was hand-made and the process could not be hurried.

In our frantic, overscheduled world in which we often hear and often say how busy we are, our quiet time with the Lord, if we have one, is often hurried. I have been a critic of one-minute and five-minute devotional books for a long time because they would have us cram in a verse and a thought and a prayer without allowing time to wait, to listen, and to hear what the Holy Spirit wants us to know as we move into our day.

Today I want to share another poem by Ron Owens set to music by Patricia Owens along with a link so you can listen to this lovely song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pux5GuhHbkQ

The Quiet Time

The Quiet Time, The Quiet Time,
when I sit at Jesus' feet.
Those special, hallowed moments
when the earth and heaven meet.
Preparing for the day ahead,
I feast upon the Living Bread;
my soul restored, my heart renewed
in The Quiet Time.

The Quiet Time, The Quiet Time,
the savior's voice I hear,
communing with my blessed Lord,
His holy presence near.
I look into His matchless face,
I praise Him for His amazing grace,
I face the day, I go with Him,
From The Quiet Time.

I love the featured image on this post. It calls forth memories of my own childhood, the period of my life when I learned the importance of having a Quiet Time. It is so focused, so undisturbed, so intimate. How did I ever let time, age, and activities, move me to compromise that time, abbreviate it, forget it or lessen its priority?

In another one of his Daily Thoughts, Arnold quoted a friend as saying “Hurry is an attitude which comes from an agreement with a lie that God is expecting more than you can do.”

I have spent more days of my life than I care to recall with an attitude of hurry. At this time in my life I am working at confronting that lie and at recognizing that being fully present in the moment and relishing quiet togetherness with the Lord and with others is far more significant and satisfying than mindless busyness. I am learning that even doing what must be done can be done can be with a quiet heart and mind.

For those of you who are interested, you will find some thoughtful writing at www.withallen.com/blog