Ten minutes before two in the afternoon, I’m sitting at my desk with a sigh of, “Ahhhhh…,” hands folded in prayer.
My heart is full, my spirit content and the words of praise only God understands pour from my lips.
It is so good to have this me-and-God time. His presence is sweet—I savor it like the first sip of good strong coffee, satisfying, rich, deep—and totally worth the wait. I was “supposed” to be here bright and early in the morning, but you know what they say about the best laid plans….
It was the first Monday of summer vacation. The night before I had determined, “I will start things off right.”
I jotted down notes—my days would look like this:
7:00 ish Get up
7:30 God’s Word, prayer and journalling (and a cup of coffee!)
8:00 ish Go for a Walk
8:30 Sit down and write. Every day.
10:00 Carry on with whatever needs carrying on
This pattern would not only get me closer to Jesus, but would make a better writer, guaranteed.
Unless I overslept on this First Monday.
Which is exactly what I did.
I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee at 9:00 a.m. for some God-sized dream sharing—Big Stuff. Our assistant youth pastor and I were going to brainstorm and I wanted to be all prayed up, spiritually full.
Instead, I bolted out of bed at 8:19. Totally missed my alarm. I barely had time to fix my hair, get dressed and brush my teeth before heading out the door. (Oh, and I had to come back to the house because I forgot my planner. Ack.)
I felt unprepared, like a failure. I wanted to be a veritable fountain of light, overflowing with God’s wisdom while we talked about Important Things. And I so wasn’t.
What did God do in my coffee get together with my pastor friend? He spoke to both of us, confirmed the work He was doing, stirred us both in prayer and brought encouragement about this big idea. She was excited to receive and I was energized by her affirmations that I was actually hearing from God.
And I had to wonder, as I sat there at my desk—does God CARE what time of day I come to spend with Him in His Word?
Is there like a rule that says, “Morning is best, really, for your quiet time, because that’s what Jesus did?”
But what if I was a barista at Starbuck’s (like the gals who served us) and I had to get up at 3:30 in the morning so I could open the store at 4:30? In the morning? My son was a barista for a number of years—I used to joke that God was the only other one up at that hour of the day.
Would God expect me to get up “first thing” for my quiet time and devotions?
I think not.
STOP, I heard God say, with the expectations and the “shoulds” and the rules. Just Stop.
Just COME.
Come when you can–
When you’re full
When you’re empty
When you have an hour
When you have 10 minutes.
Just Come.
And you will be filled with a fresh, satisfying, rich drink of water that never runs out, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Better hours than even Starbuck’s keeps.
Promise.
By Jody Lee Collins
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Daphne says
Perfect❤❤❤
Maureen D says
FINALLY someone says what I’ve felt forever. Yes, come. It’s good. Thank you.
Jody Collins says
Maureen, so glad this resonated with you….it’s all about just being with Jesus when we can, isn’t it?
Guest says
Wow, just wow. I can’t begin to find the words to tell you how much I needed this. I do feel guilty that I don’t have morning quiet time but honestly, I’m not that fresh or clear in the morning. Add getting two young kids ready for the day to the mix and I’m really not in the frame of mind to have a quiet time. My favorite is mid-morning when things are quiet, I’m alert and more relaxed.
It’s kind of ironic that we’ve become so legalistic about WHEN to meet with God, isn’t it? I love the verse in Deuteronomy about when we are to teach our children about God: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
So, pretty much all the time and as a constant part of our life, not a specific 30 minute chunk of our day.
Jody Collins says
Yes, friend you nailed it on the head. Especially with small children….that ‘first thing in the morning’ is nearly impossible. It’s the daily walking. Yes, that’s it. Thanks for reading.
Jodi says
just come. Yes indeedy He like that our Papa.
Shelly Miller says
So good Jody. We just need to let go of what we think being spiritual looks like and just come, as we are and he’ll always show up. Love it.
Jody Collins says
‘Spiritual’ looks different in each of us. Like Jesus, but different. Thanks for reading, Shelly.
Susie Hollams says
Exactly!!!!’
Because when there is no “special” time of day, you can come more than once, more than twice, heck you can be like me and come as often as you can every day, especially when I am so full of joy I could burst. But I used to come everyday because I should and things got in the way. Now I have shot the shoulds, I find I want to come as often as I am able as often as I have something I need to talk about with him as often as I have dreams I want to share. it,
Just a thought
Susie
Jody Collins says
Susie–I smiled at your line about ‘shooting the shoulds’. Yessiree, good idea. And coming as often as we’re able to talk with Him and share our dreams. What a loving God He is.
April says
Thank you for this.
HisFireFly says
yes, this!
anytime
all the time
all time is His
all time is sacred
even when we think we’re not paying attention, He Is
Jody Collins says
‘even when we think we’re not paying attention, He is.’ I used to pray while I was walking around at first grade recess, eyes on all the runners, jumpers and climbers, but when they needed something, they always came over with a, “Hey Teacher…” Kinda like that with us. God’s got His eye on everything.
Nancy Franson says
Yes! And, you know–the words Quiet Time aren’t even in the Bible!
Just come, he bids us. Wherever, whenever we are. He will meet us there.
Jody Collins says
Argh…….I know. There’s ‘God’s presence’ and ‘where He dwells’ but no ‘quiet time.’ He is everywhere we are when we call on Him. Thanks for reading, friend.
Jeanne says
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For saying this outloud (well in text anyways). My soul always told me, “hey this is ok”, but when I hear others talk about their morning rituals of devotionals, hours of bible reading and alone time with our God, I always felt guilty. I pray. I seek. I worship. All throughout my day…in a continual conversational relationship with my Lord. I have always believed he has met me where and when I seek him without judgement, but it is sure nice to hear someone else say it too. Bless you!
Jody Collins says
Jeanne–I’m so glad this resonated with you. I had an idea I wasn’t the only one. It is really about prayer, worship, a continual conversation, a ‘walking around’ kind of faith.
Kathee says
Thank you for being the Lord’s messenger to me today!
renae hiatt says
THANK YOU…I’ve been feeling guilty about this for years and I’ve worked it out with Jesus to take thought precious moments as they come throughout the day and spend my “quiet time” before bed.
Jody Collins says
Renae–some of my most precious times with Jesus are in the evening at the end of the day. I’m a morning person for sure and cannot really sit to listen while my head is full of laundry I need to do, lunch to make, bills to pay and so on. When the day is done I’m much more at peace and ready to be still. Thanks for reading.
Mary Falk says
Wonderful to know The Lord has no restrictions to what time of day we come to Him just as long as we do. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Such good truth here. And so easy to lose sight of this fact.
Thank you, Jody.
karyn says
Amen.
JESUS has time, all the time.
🙂
Elizabeth says
Loving this, friend. Sometimes we forget it’s a relationship, a continual abiding and ongoing conversation, not an appointment.
Jody Collins says
A continual abiding…yes. ‘Dwell’ was my word for last year and it just keeps coming up when I’m in the word.
Thanks for your encouragement, friend.
Joanne Peterson says
Thank you! I have two little boys who wake up if someone walks past their door no matter how early. I know this in my head, but you just confirmed this for me. I do often times feel that I do need an early shot in the arm just to be liveable in the morning though! 🙂 I do talk the to the Lord throughout the day but not always in the Word as often as necessary.
Jody Collins says
Joanne, may this just be an encouragement to you to ‘walk and talk’ Jesus knows about our days and the Father is eager for us to let Him be part of all we do.
Thanks for your kind words.
Marinalva Sickler says
It’s so good knowing that God won’t get mad at me because some days I have no time to read my Bible. If I’m not working I go to soaking time at twelve at my church on Wednesday. I love the “Come when you come.” I don’t need to feel guilt for days that I can hardly breath between paying bills, grocery shopping, homework, church activities, take of tenants demands, and go to work. Yak! I forgot to list my time to cry! I need a vacation, with my Starbuck’s card loaded to the top
Jody Collins says
Marinalva, as you’re soaking in God’s presence I pray He gives you a word about your time. What to say yes to and how to say it.
Thanks for reading.
Rhonda Quaney says
Jodi! I could hear your beautiful voice and heart encouraging us down the path and through the gate to pursue our Father. Loved this!
Patty Muich says
🙂 This was an awesome read. I woke up with this on my mind just this morning! You are awesome and I am so happy to be in a group with you and get to know you better!! Love, Patty
Gina says
I’ve always said that i’m not very spiritual early in the morning!
kimmie says
Ugh! thank you for this. I’ve just started on my path and “scheduled” my time first thing….after the kids left for school. Soooooo not working. I was never in the right frame of mind and I surely wasn’t getting what I should out of it.
Jody Collins says
Pretty funny how that works out, eh, Kimmie? Our ‘plans’? Jesus sees your heart and knows your days–keep asking Him how to work it out.
Diana C says
Thank you for your words! For awhile I felt guilty that I wasn’t waking up at 6 before my baby’s first cries to get in some time with God. I found that it just doesn’t work for my current life stage though and instead have been using his afternoon nap as my quiet time. It’s about that time that I need the encouragement anyways and then I feel refreshed to finish out the day.
Jen Ferguson says
This is just so amazingly full of grace — overflowing, in fact, with richness, strength, and beauty. Just like you!
Jody Collins says
Oh, Jennifer. Back atcha. It was a clear word to me and I had a feeling others needed to hear it, too.
robin says
amen! before I was married and kids, mornings worked fine and some extra at night if I could. but, then…. well, mornings were not good and neither was nighttime… so, I finally realized the only quiet time available without too much interruption was after lunch ..and that was what I looked forward to, and it was good. now , life again changes with many challenges and time is so precious, that anytime I can get a moment is good .. bathrooms always have a bible there just waiting 🙂 and one in the car … and I do find that God can meet me in spite of the day’s busyness. And one word from HIm is the blessing I need … use what and whenever you can!!
Jody Collins says
Robin, I thought I was the only one with a Bible in the bathroom and the car…..how He satisfies our hunger!
Adriel Booker says
Love it Jody! Aren’t you glad God’s not confined by our ideas and boxes and rules??! It’s so easy to forget. Thanks for a beautifully written reminder. xx
jean Wise says
Right on, Jody. Lately I have been thinking about all the rules we put on ourselves and others, most don’t really matter. loved that I read this post in the middle of the afternoon, after no devotions in the morning that I usually start my day with. So slipped away right then to pray. Thanks for the nudge
Jody Collins says
Jean, happy to be the ‘nudger’. Thanks for reading.
Bethany says
When Jesus said “abide in me” he didn’t say it with any preconceived ideas about how we do it. His side of the bargain was that he would then abide in us. Wow. What a promise! What motivation to come to him,at whatever time of day/night works best for us.
Sarah says
Thank you! I’ve been putting pressure on myself to wake before the kids each morning and failure is all I’ve been feeling as I oversleep everytime. The last part, Just Come, is so encouraging. I’ll have to tape that everywhere!
Jody Collins says
Sarah, Jesus knows right where you live and who you live with. I like your idea–tape the words up everywhere–‘just come!”
Madison says
That’s so what I needed to hear. Keep writing! <3
Angie says
Wow! Just beautiful! Thanks for the reminder to “just come.”
Stephanie says
Perfectly stated! So thankful for the longing of God…. I need to act on that longing more. Thanks for the encouragement!
http://www.mallardsrunfarm.com
Denise says
There is true freedom in being able to get close to God at any time of the day! I’ve always had the impression that the early morning is more ‘spiritual’ than other times. We need to be free of legalism which brings guilt and ‘just come’ as someone else said.
Thank you Jody, for encouraging me!
Jody Collins says
Denise, so glad this spoke to you, too. We’re funny, aren’t we? Early morning is a more spiritual time than what? Evening? Middday? No, God made it all. So glad of that.
Thanks for reading.
Shelli Littleton says
So sweet. God just wants us … so loved.
Beth Williams says
While early morning is the best time for most to do devotions–before the hustle and bustle of work. Any time will do with a quiet and content heart. “Just do it” is my motto!
God is available ALL the time so just come to Him whenever you feel the urge and pray, journal, do devotions. He is not a person of legalism, so why should we be? We should encourage our friends to just come to Him daily–whenever it suits them best!
Super post!
Jody Collins says
Beth, thank you for the ‘amen!’ I’m so grateful this simple word to me has resonated with so many people. I appreciate your kind words.
Nancy Ruegg says
How delightful to see you and one of your wonderful posts over here at (in)courage! And what an honest, good-common-sense approach to spending time with God. Your post got me thinking about our relationships with adult children–how we welcome their phone calls and visits anytime. So why wouldn’t it be the same for our Heavenly Father and his children?
God bless you, Jodi. Keep writing, keep dreaming, keep believing, sister.
Jody Collins says
Nancy, your analogy of how we love to hear from OUR kids is so fitting. Yes, our Father is the same way. Thank you always for your encouragement, Nancy.
Heather Caliri says
I love this, Judy. I love that our two posts were so similar, but I feel like this is a message I need to hear over and over and over. That it’s not about me getting it right. Ever. And that he waits with open arms. Always. Blessings to you.