Fifty Two Shades of Shay: Daily Quiet Time

I get asked a lot, what does a "quiet time" look like?  As Christians, "quiet time" is a phrase that has been coined to mean that time in our day when we sit down to pray and read the Bible.  This is totally a Shade of Shay since I do start each and every day with my quiet time.

Here's how I got started...

When I was 15 years old, I had a fabulous youth minister named Todd tell me (and the other students) over and over again that the only way to deepen and strengthen our faith was to make sure we were spending quiet time with Jesus every day.  I'm constantly talking to God.  Constantly.  But every morning when I get up, I set aside a few precious minutes to really sit in the quiet and pray, read my Bible, read some other devotional books and thoughtfully and purposely prepare for my day ahead while chattin' with the Lord (and chatting with the Lord is just praying).

And this morning quiet time is one of the best moments in my day.

Listen, some mornings, I just have 2 minutes...some morning, I have more like 20.  There isn't a wrong or right amount of time.  It's just a conscious effort to make sure I have my priorities straight and my heart in the right direction before I set out for my day.  This is also such a valuable time to read the Bible and really hear what God says about you and your life.  Reading the Bible will change your life more than anything else in this world.

Here is what I personally do (and again, this is just me...since this is my shade)...

1. I read my Bible.

Right now, I'm reading through the New Testament along with reading one Proverb a day.  I read and think about how the verses can apply to my own life.  I also take notes in a little notebook of scripture or phrases that really stick out to me personally.  

2. I pray.

I'm of the faith that prayer does not have to be perfect.  Prayer does not have to be uniform.  Prayer is just me pouring out my heart to the Lord, praying for others in need, praying for myself and my family, repenting from all of the crappy choices I make in life, thanking God for everything he does for me (even the hard days when I know my life is being strengthened through adverse circumstances) and just sitting in the stillness and reflecting.  

I've learned that praying is not hard...it's setting aside the time that usually is.  I really encourage you to pray.

3. I read books by Christian authors.

Reading a book does not in any way, shape or form take away from me reading my Bible.  The Bible is the way, the truth and the light...a book by a great Christian author about a specific topic is just a nice little addition but it's not a supplement.  That being said, I always enjoy reading a little at the end of my quiet time about certain topics.  Lately, my books have all been around parenting.  I'll read a chapter or so for motivation and encouragement...or just to learn or maybe laugh.  This kind of reading just rounds out those quiet minutes in my morning.

Here are some of the books I've read so far this year during my quiet times...

Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken

The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle

Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson

Bringing up Boys by Dr. James Dobson

God is Able by Priscilla Shirer

Raising a Princess by John Croyle

All of these books either motivated my faith, encouraged my faith, strengthened my faith, or maybe just gave me the kind of laugh I needed to start my crazy day.  I love them all for different reasons.

So there you have it...if you ever wonder why I wake up so stinkin' early, one reason is to set aside a few minutes for my quiet time.  If you don't think you could ever be a morning person, you should read this Shade of Shay here :).  You can be.  You will love how peaceful your days can begin with just a few extra minutes.

I highly, highly, highly recommend doing a quiet time at the beginning of the day instead of at the end of the day.  Start your day with Jesus.  Start your day on the right track...don't wait until the end of the day to do clean-up work...begin your day in the quiet.  I promise you...you will find so much peace throughout your day if you start it off this way.

And yes...I drink coffee during my quiet time...it just makes it even that much better :).

This is my quiet time every morning...at my desk with my coffee, my Bible, my book, my notebook and my pen.

Two weeks ago, I mentioned on my blog how I was reading John Croyle's Raising a Princess and the nice people at his publishing house, reached out to me and said they would love to give away three copies of the book to my readers.  A very nice and unexpected surprise for you and me!

Today only, I'll be giving away three copies...just enter the Rafflecopter below and the winners will be announced tomorrow!  

On the foodie blog today...

...my simple Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Burritos.  Yum!

And then winner of our Mother's Day Giveaway is...

Congratulations Amy!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



The winners of the Raising a Princess book giveaway are...

Shirley (email address has the numbers 1215 in it)
Rachel Dunn-Rankin
Carol Marshall

Congratulations ladies!!  I have emailed all three of you about receiving your prize!  Please email me back within 5 days to receive your book.