Treadmill Quiet Times

Saturday evening I retired to bed after saying an “I feel sorry” prayer for my husband as he would be preaching in three Sunday morning services with the first starting at 6:00 A.M. That is some serious stuff…church at 6:00 a.m.! I hope they have Starbucks in Madagascar (where Rich is preaching).

I awoke Sunday morning around 4:00 a.m. to hear my son stirring and neither of us made it back to sleep. You’d think one would have a great quiet time being up that early but it just wasn’t the case for me. When it finally came time to arise and get ready for church my conversation with God began…. “Lord, my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak!’” I shuttered at the thought of getting myself and my 3 kiddos ready and trying to make it to church on time (I think you’ve picked up Rich is not around).

At that moment my little angel (Skyler) said, “Mommy, you had a rough night why don’t you go back to bed and I’ll watch the kids”. That sounded better than the coffee percolating and so I took my ‘mini-mom’ up on her offer. Of course, I almost suffocated myself with the 2 pillows over my head trying to drown out all the noise coming from my precious little ones. How can they get up at 4 a.m., have no legal stimulants in their bodies and have so much energy? Oh, to figure that one out, put it in pill form and patent it…I’d make millions (and not be so tired all the time).

About an hour later I dragged myself out of bed and a foul mood ensued. My thoughts were askew, my attitude terrible…and the list goes on! Something needed to change and quick or it was going to be a long, very bad, no good, horrible day. Yes, a quiet time would be very beneficial but it is considered abuse these days to lock kids in the closet and without that it just wasn’t going to happen. Alternatively, I could kick on some worship music as I sometimes do when these moods come over me and the kids and I dance and sing until mommy is happier but today it was personal. I needed to get alone with God….but where.

So we packed in the car and went to the place I could be alone and do business with God…..the gym. Technically there were other people around so I was not alone but with the kids in the playroom, me on the treadmill and earphones in, I was as close to alone as need be.

Not even 5 minutes in stride and not 1 song through and I was fighting back the tears. 4.5Ks later I was close to falling on my knees in worship (and exhaustion). Wouldn’t that be a sight- smelly, sweaty, emotional girl that can’t sing on her knees mid-workout?

So no I didn’t observe the Sabbath with the usual church-going. I didn’t even crack my bible open during my quiet time. Today I met the Lord at the Throne in work out clothes, sweaty, ugly and desperate to hear from Him. And thankfully the Lord was looking “to and forth throughout the whole earth (even Africa) to show Himself strong on behalf of His child!”

Yes, I believe whole-heartily in quiet times with prayer and bible reading. I also believe in fellowshipping with other believers and I am teaching my children to do both of these. Yet I also believe the Lord sees the heart (not the acts) and warmly welcomes us just as we are!

I pray your week is full of treadmill quiet times!