After preparing a time to connect with God, you will find that it will help to also prepare a place. To be able to give God my undivided attention, I needed to find a location where I was free from distractions and interruptions. Many times finding a quiet place to meet with God is the biggest challenge.
Susanna Wesley was serious about her faith when she said, “There are two things to do about the gospel–believe it and behave it.” When Susanna, mother of 19 children, wanted to spend time with God, she had a unique way of finding her “quiet” place. She would sit down in her kitchen and pull her apron up over her head. She would then spend time in prayer and the children knew not to disturb her! Imagine that!!! Did Susanna Wesley’s lifestyle and commitment to God make a difference in her children’s lives? Her son, John Wesley, said, “I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians of England.” Your lifestyle will impact your children’s lives more than you may think!
Most likely, you won’t find that hiding in your kitchen will produce a distraction free environment, but it does help if you find somewhere with few distractions.
That may mean. . .
. . . going to a room in your home where there’s not a lot of clutter around you so that you are not tempted to clean up the room instead of concentrating on your time with God.
. . . staying away from ear-shot of the telephone or answering machine.
. . . not gazing at laundry that’s crying to be washed.
. . . keeping the TV, radio or computer off.
. . . not checking your e-mail before giving God your attention.
I found that in preparing a place to meet God, it was important that I had all the resources, paper, etc. where I was spending time with God. That meant I needed my Bible, notebook paper (pre-computer!), different colored pens and highlighters to underline and mark up my Bible. . . and I needed good light. At first I tried to find a comfortable chair or sofa, but I quickly realized that if it was too comfortable, I had a tendency to get extra tired. I would too often fall back asleep if I managed to get myself into the prone position.
Where can you find a quiet, undisturbed (or at least semi-undisturbed) place in or near your home or workplace? A quiet corner of your living room? dining room? den? basement? Or if you live in a warm climate, mid-morning in your backyard? Or at your desk in the office at lunch? Or in your car waiting for the kids at soccer practice?
