The bottom line is that all these actions are trying to draw us deeper into a relationship with God. A relationship. And we all have different ways of developing relationships in our lives. Which means I think that it's okay if we all have different ways of developing our relationship with God. One thing I have always loved about my husband is that he is so disciplined in his life (for the most part!). When it comes to his relationship with God, he does the same process of walking through prayer and scripture every morning. When we got married I tried emulating him a bit. Yeah...it worked for all of 1 day for me...I just could not connect with God the same way he does. Then I realized, well, he and I connect with people very differently, it makes sense that we would connect with our Creator differently. I need a bit more flexibility in my "quiet time" routine. And until recently, I wasn't sure how to create that space.
So I've started trying something new, and I realize this is completely impossible for most people with little kids at home (unless you tried during a naptime maybe?) or who work full time, but I wanted to share what I've been doing. This is literally something I have struggled with my entire life, never really being "in the mood" to read my bible or pray very well. This seems to have changed a bit for me recently and I think the catalyst was giving myself a bit more space for variety in my 'quiet times.'
My friend Jenn gave us bridesmaids beautiful photo storage boxes and I decided to make that my quiet time box.
I filled it with my journal
My gratitude journal
The Book of Common Prayer (which has the daily lectionary readings in it...more on that in a second)
Note cards
And a book I'm now reading at the raving recommendation of two friends of mine in Seattle, The Good and Beautiful God
My ipod is nearby if I want worship music and I bought a special candle to light only during my alone time. My idea was this. Somedays, I want to write in my journal and process something. Some days I have a ton I'm thankful for and want to add to my list in my gratitude journal. Some days I am praying for someone and feel like one of the best things I could be doing at that point is to write a quick note to them to stick in the mail. Some days I want to get lost in someone else's ideas of God and want to read a book for awhile that helps me think and connect with God differently than I would choose to on my own. I have come to believe that reading something from God's word each day is a must, even if I am not "feeling" like it, so I do start each day reading the daily readings from the lectionary (part of that is because my Committee on Preparation for Ministry has asked me to practice this discipline for 2 years, and I think it is a great tool so I am agreeing to try it). (An explanation is below for those who don't know what the lectionary is).
What I have found is that this seems to be working for me. I have given myself freedom to not do the same exact routine every day. I don't want to be doing a formal "bible study" right now where I have to answer questions someone else has come up with, I want to be free to read, think, form my own questions, and write about what I am actually getting out of a text rather than what someone else is telling me I should be getting out of a text. (But during other seasons I have wanted a more structured learning time, they key for me has been letting myself learn to be flexible with where I am instead of doing what others tell me I should be doing). I start my day with a cup of coffee and time alone at my desk with my quiet time box and see where I end up. Like I said, this isn't going to work for everyone, but I'd encourage you, if you're like me and often struggle with how to connect with God, to think outside the box a bit. What are ways you connect with people? Could they be applied to God? What things do you enjoy doing when you're alone? Reading, writing, thinking, praying, drawing, making lists? Could any of those things help you connect with God? (Another fun resources I have been given is called Praying in Color and is a great, super easy, fun way of incorporating doodling and color as we pray for people). People always told me to have a specific space that you regularly came to meet with God and I've never tried that. But now, having cleaned off my desk completely, sans framed photos of my closest family and friends, I have a space that feels like "mine." And it seems to be working. Any other suggestions or ideas for people? What do you do to help you connect? What about keeping going through dry seasons?
**The Daily Lectionary, for those who aren't familiar with it, is a 2 year cycle of scripture readings that you do each day. Each day there are assigned texts to help you experience the whole bible in two years. For every day there are 2 morning Psalms (one is always one of the praise psalms from the end of the book--Psalms 145-150), two evening Psalms, an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading, and a Gospel reading. The readings aren't usually long, often a 1/2 of a chapter, and you do move around a bit throughout the church year (so the readings during advent would focus on the birth narratives etc) but in the course of 2 years you will read through the entire Old Testament once and the entire New Testament twice, and the Psalms multiple times. It's used by all denominations, and has been in existence for centuries, which I like. So many people read the lectionary every day that I know when I do so I am joining with people literally all over the world reflecting on a given text that morning. You can google it to find out more, but for the daily lectionary text you can visit the Presbyterian Church's devotional page here.
I filled it with my journal
My gratitude journal
The Book of Common Prayer (which has the daily lectionary readings in it...more on that in a second)
Note cards
And a book I'm now reading at the raving recommendation of two friends of mine in Seattle, The Good and Beautiful God
My ipod is nearby if I want worship music and I bought a special candle to light only during my alone time. My idea was this. Somedays, I want to write in my journal and process something. Some days I have a ton I'm thankful for and want to add to my list in my gratitude journal. Some days I am praying for someone and feel like one of the best things I could be doing at that point is to write a quick note to them to stick in the mail. Some days I want to get lost in someone else's ideas of God and want to read a book for awhile that helps me think and connect with God differently than I would choose to on my own. I have come to believe that reading something from God's word each day is a must, even if I am not "feeling" like it, so I do start each day reading the daily readings from the lectionary (part of that is because my Committee on Preparation for Ministry has asked me to practice this discipline for 2 years, and I think it is a great tool so I am agreeing to try it). (An explanation is below for those who don't know what the lectionary is).What I have found is that this seems to be working for me. I have given myself freedom to not do the same exact routine every day. I don't want to be doing a formal "bible study" right now where I have to answer questions someone else has come up with, I want to be free to read, think, form my own questions, and write about what I am actually getting out of a text rather than what someone else is telling me I should be getting out of a text. (But during other seasons I have wanted a more structured learning time, they key for me has been letting myself learn to be flexible with where I am instead of doing what others tell me I should be doing). I start my day with a cup of coffee and time alone at my desk with my quiet time box and see where I end up. Like I said, this isn't going to work for everyone, but I'd encourage you, if you're like me and often struggle with how to connect with God, to think outside the box a bit. What are ways you connect with people? Could they be applied to God? What things do you enjoy doing when you're alone? Reading, writing, thinking, praying, drawing, making lists? Could any of those things help you connect with God? (Another fun resources I have been given is called Praying in Color and is a great, super easy, fun way of incorporating doodling and color as we pray for people). People always told me to have a specific space that you regularly came to meet with God and I've never tried that. But now, having cleaned off my desk completely, sans framed photos of my closest family and friends, I have a space that feels like "mine." And it seems to be working. Any other suggestions or ideas for people? What do you do to help you connect? What about keeping going through dry seasons?
**The Daily Lectionary, for those who aren't familiar with it, is a 2 year cycle of scripture readings that you do each day. Each day there are assigned texts to help you experience the whole bible in two years. For every day there are 2 morning Psalms (one is always one of the praise psalms from the end of the book--Psalms 145-150), two evening Psalms, an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading, and a Gospel reading. The readings aren't usually long, often a 1/2 of a chapter, and you do move around a bit throughout the church year (so the readings during advent would focus on the birth narratives etc) but in the course of 2 years you will read through the entire Old Testament once and the entire New Testament twice, and the Psalms multiple times. It's used by all denominations, and has been in existence for centuries, which I like. So many people read the lectionary every day that I know when I do so I am joining with people literally all over the world reflecting on a given text that morning. You can google it to find out more, but for the daily lectionary text you can visit the Presbyterian Church's devotional page here.
I see myself in your blog Sarah. Same thing when Dave and first got married. He's been doing his QT the same way, with some alterations, but mostly the same, every day since we married. Me...I meander and muse my way through my relationship with God. I think it has a lot to do with masculine and feminine differences. Much of our Christian tradition is rooted in masculine ways of thinking, being, doing. It doesn't touch my deepest feminine soul. So, I've adapted and created my own path that includes art, yoga, poetry, nature etc. I think you are onto a very important issue for the church in the 21st Century. Thanks for sharing your experience
ReplyDeleteAs I let out a long, satisfying, relieved breath I say, "thanks". Thanks for being a voice of integration instead of a one-size-fits-all model. I love your ideas. For me, it's taken a long time to let go of all the 'shoulds' and finally come into my own style with God which is to allow him into every part of my day in conversation and in silence. To accept and welcome His presence as one does with a special place or person of long acquaintance. To learn to be mindful as you would with your own breathing once you have taken notice of it.
ReplyDeleteLove your posts. I don't have a routine for my Sabbath time at all. It starts wtih rest - and then praying as I lay in bed. :) Then listening to where the Spirit is inviting me - painting, dancing, going to the Huntington, prayer, journaling, reading scripture more in depth. Its never the same twice. I do have several ways I predominently connect to God - wich are all very creative. Giving myself the freedom to not "have to" listen to /approach God in a set way but let the Spirit lead - and my spirit respond - is key.
ReplyDeleteI like your box idea - and puting in the box the things that help you connect to God. Nice. :)
For me I do have my Bible and journal with me - as key piece to read/listen/write what I'm hearing and what's striking me from my conversation with God and God's word.
Also as you said its about a relationship - which is about getting to know the other - in this case - God's heart - and offering our hearts to be changed by His - authentically communicating with our Creator. Just as we don't want relationships in our lives to be "the same all the time" , we need to let ourselves have freedom in building our relationship with God. Its the being fiathful to meet with God - spend time with God - in a focused way - whatever that is - that matters.