In those quiet moments, I experience God’s comforting presence in a new way. But once I’m sitting by my favorite window with a cup of coffee, I love resting there and enjoying the morning sounds and brightening sky. I’m not going to sugarcoat it: getting up early is hard every single time. My personal favorite way to pause is with an early rise, before my kids are up in the morning. He doesn’t love us more because we read more Bible chapters or pray longer prayers. But pushing past that, there is an immeasurable joy in just being in the presence of the God who delights in who I am. Thoughts of all the things to do rush in. It can be uncomfortable and awkward to sit still with God.

There is something sacred and restorative in simply sitting still with God. But currently, I’m practicing the habit of pausing as a way to connect with God. I will never stop trying to make time for the Bible, helpful books, and prayer. Recently I have learned to bring all that ‘doing’ to a screeching halt, and simply be. With time I have realized I often focus too much on ‘doing’ rather than ‘being’. Never mind making dinner for my family and catching up with the laundry!Ĭultivating a strong spiritual life is no easy task in the midst of so much busyness. Whether it’s busyness from life, or from the array of wonderful options available for spiritual growth, there is so much to do! Many times I felt my sincere desire to grow closer to Jesus being stifled by the guilt of never having enough time to finish all the books I wanted to read, attend all the available Bible studies, and participate in all the local events. Life seems to become ever more complicated the older one gets. Yet as my kids grew, making time for my relationship with Jesus didn’t get any easier. There were times as a sleep-deprived mom of an infant when the most basic human needs were all I could focus on: food, sleep and occasional showering.

Marriage and children have filled in the gaps of spare time I used to have. The habit I acquired as a young person of leisurely reading my Bible, journaling, and praying, has been challenged by different life seasons. However, my time with Jesus has changed a lot over the years. Likewise, my dedication to cultivating my relationship with Jesus directly affects the health and strength of my marriage. I have encountered many moments when my husband’s selfless love leads me straight to the heart of Jesus. Marriage has the potential to be the most tangible experience of God’s love for us.

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