PJ's Prayer Line: Planning a Quiet Place

Good Evening to All!

Today's Seed: "Then , because so many people were coming and going that they did not

even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31

One of many references from my Thompson Chain-reference Bible is "Retirement" from worldly associations, Christ felt the need of Retirement. (Rest)

Matthew 14:23: And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

We ALL need time alone with our thoughts and God. When there is hustle and bustle, it is hard to focus on God's still, small voice.

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One mother of three admitted that she wants her epitaph to read "All she wanted was to go to the bathroom in peace." Not having time to eat doesn't bother her, if only she could have five minutes alone in the bathroom.

A quiet place. Somewhere to dream, to think, to rest, to do nothing. We're surrounded by sounds and people most of the day. We can't get away from the noise unless we plan time away.

Jesus was quick to realize that there was too much going on for his apostles to have time to eat. They needed a quiet place. But like us, they couldn't get away from the hullabaloo. A large crowd followed them everywhere they went. They needed an escape and Jesus had a plan.

Jesus sought a quiet place regularly. The key is, he sought the quiet. It didn't come on its own. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35). "After he had dismissed them [the disciples], he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray" (Matthew 14:23).

Jesus knew the value of quiet time for his disciples. We need to learn the value of quiet too. If the only place you can get away from it all is the bathroom, go for it. If everyone follows you to the bathroom, head for the hills.

Dig Deeper: The Greek word for "come" is deute, which means to follow. We need to follow Jesus' example of finding a quiet place to think and to pray.

Weed & Water: Don't feel guilty about taking time for yourself. Guilt comes from Satan, not God. God wants you to feel the healing power of rest. Start with just five or ten minutes. The world--and your family--will survive without you! Lock yourself in the bathroom, or get up while it's still dark and sit on your porch. Take time to breathe in the fresh morning air. Take a short walk in the evening after the kids are in bed. Use the time to quiet your mind. don't think about what you have to do next. focus on God's creation and his love for you.

Sprout & Scatter: Encourage each family member to find a quiet place alone at a

certain time each day. No TV, no video games, no CDs--just a quiet time to rest, read, or think. Take the phone off the hook or put on the answering machine. Set a timer so small children will know when "quiet time" is over. Enjoy!