Do what I say and not as I do.  Right?

I mean that’s why I don’t eat the entire jar of  Trader Joe’s FAKE Nutella in front of my kids.  ‘Cause that’s an image they don’t need to see or repeat.

There are times I wonder why my munchkins sigh or roll their eyes — or in contrast actually help their sibling overcome a fear, or pray out-loud with boldness, or apply an oil, or come and snuggle with me every single morning to have their own quiet time (or devotion).

They learned it by watching me.  My words.  My actions.

While I may have many bad habits, there is one rock solid habit that has been consistent for at least 20+ years, to be honest.  Does this habit waver in length or excitement?

Sure.  But as long as coffee beans are still grown and Earl Grey tea exists, I imagine you will find me sitting on the couch reading my Bible or doing a Bible study till Jesus returns.

My kids know where to look every single morning.  I’m on the comfiest seat in the house.

I don’t see any other way of having a relationship with God.  I mean, I seek out coffee dates with my friends, so why wouldn’t I have one with God?  He is the Creator of it all — the miracle worker.  My beverage symbolizes an aroma of praise up to Him, or maybe it’s the Frankincense in the diffuser beside me.

My kids know that when I have my quiet time — it’s an experience.  It’s not a task or a chore or an obligation.

How My Quiet Time Began

It all started because I made a choice — a choice to have God in my life daily.  In order to know Him better I had to study the HUGE letter He left for me.  Plus colored pencils and a hot beverage have always been a staple.  Novel things motivate me to stay the course.

I’ve done all sorts of studies — my favorites being Kay Arthur, Cynthia Heald, Beth Moore, and most recently Overwhelmed by Haley Dimarco.

But then something changed.  I had children.  And I’m so thankful — because I wasn’t supposed to have any.

Children And The Demise Of Naps

I had little babies.  And those little babies had naps.  I made  nap times and my Bible time coincide.   As hard as I fought the inevitable, each of my offspring ended up relinquishing their naps to the sleep fairy and I no longer had a quiet time all to myself.  No chai.  No quiet.  No Jesus.  This is a recipe for disaster.

I had heard all the ideas of leaving an Bible open in every room, listening to the Bible on CD (yes, I said CD), or just giving yourself grace for the season you were in.

No way.

This meant war.

I didn’t want to ditch my friend, Jesus.  Nobody likes to be stood up for a coffee date.  I would find a way to have a quiet time.

In the process of saving my sanity and solitude,  I formed a dogma that changed the demise of naps into an eternally significant aspect of our children’s day.

Do What I do

I decided to teach them to do what I do.

I think the art of being still is learned and not innate.  I’m convinced that many adults do not know how to be still and present.

For some asinine reason, I’ve heard many parents proclaim that their kids are wild.  They utter ludicrous assertions that their child can’t obey or possibly be still.  While I think there are {some} exceptions, I do think that children can lovingly be taught contentedness for intervals of time appropriate for their age.

Truthfully, the key might actually lie in the words a parent speaks over their child — but that’s another blog post for another day.

What did I do to foster a habit of spiritual stillness that shows up to this day in my 13 year old and his siblings?

For The Rest Of The Story . . .

To find out, head on over to the Cultivating the Lovely podcast.

I know . . . you want to know right here, right now.  But I REALLY want you to meet MacKenzie, from Bold Turquoise!

I can’t tell you how excited I am to have partnered with my longtime friend and blogging buddy.  I’ve been to her yard (notice I didn’t say her HOUSE — but you’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out why), met her sweet daughter, had coffee, eaten spicy Thai, and lived life with her.

I invite you to join us for some Chai or coffee and to sit still and listen to to moms chatting about their kids.

And Did I Mention The Giveaway?

To launch the Cultivating the Lovely podcast Season #3, there is an epic giveaway!!! You’ll have to head on over to learn  more!

My Favorite Children’s Quiet Time Books

In the podcast, I do mention that I would share my favorite books to support my children’s devotions. Enjoy this list of tested resources from our home to yours!

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