Attention!

ATTENTION!

Good morning, Lord…. (Oh, I need to call for a hair appointment.)... Thank you for this day… (Ooh that was such a good scene on Netflix last night!)... Lord, bless me in what I read of Your Word today…(Is that a cardinal singing? …...Oh, nuts!)

I was 16, at a retreat, when I was first introduced to the idea of daily time with God. It was a total game changer! I don’t know if they termed it “quiet time” or not, but that is how I have come to refer to this precious practice.

I think the biggest challenge to my quiet time routine has to be distractions from within, whether they stem from head or heart. Even when external influences are calm, my thoughts and concerns sizzle and jump like popcorn in a hot pan. How to tame them so I can really “connect and reflect”? Well, as you may have noticed, I am really into images! There have been a number of them over time that have really helped me to get my head in the right space for quiet.

Drawers

A mentor/minister/friend once told me she envisions a rectangular room with drawers floor to ceiling lining both long walls. She deliberately tucks each cluttering thought into a drawer for later, sweeping the space clean to put her full attention where it needs to be.

Lake

A mental picture I love to use is a small lake, where my thoughts are heavy, distinct drops of rain, each one wrinkling the water in rings. I envision the rain gradually stopping, the tiny waves wearing themselves out, leaving my mind smooth and undisturbed.

Office

When I consider my quiet times are a type of “holy meeting”, an office setting also comes to mind. My Maker is already waiting for me in a serene space decorated in gentle hues. As I enter, I leave my demanding distractions in the waiting room, firmly closing the door and turning the lock to prevent their interruptions. On particularly restless mornings, I really have to put my back into it!

Balloons

Sometimes it is not my head that prevents me from quietude, but rather specific worries of my heart. I endeavour to tiptoe around them, but they awaken to trip me up. To unblock a path to stillness, I carefully place each concern in the basket of a miniature hot air balloon and allow it to rise high for safekeeping.

I usually find that once I have stilled myself, rich connection and reflection are possible.

Good morning, Lord. mmmmm...breathe...I am so thankful for today….mmmm...peace...I pray you would guide my reading of your Word today….mmmm...there You are!

P.S. I would love to hear your tips and tricks for preparing yourself for “quiet time”. The more tools in my belt, the better!! Please feel free to leave a comment!