Over a month ago I started a blog series entitled Grief, Depression & Sharing the Tools I need Daily. I had great intentions of writing all five entries in the series at one time and scheduling them to post weekly.  Well, things happen. Life happens. But one thing that didn’t change is this next tool that is integral in every season of life for me:

Quiet Time.

Everyone’s quiet time with God will look different. My quiet time with God looks very different in different seasons of life. Sometimes I can sit and just ‘be’ in God’s presence and feel so close to Him. Other times I listen to music, podcasts, or audio books. There are times where I follow a scripture reading plan that is topical, having to do with something I am going through in that particular season. Other times I know that I cannot concentrate enough to simply read a scripture passage and keep my mind on it, so I follow a scripture writing plan where I copy, word for word, the passage out of the Bible. This allows me to be still with God and focus on what He is speaking to me through the scriptures. The YouVersion Bible App has also been a great ‘on the go’ resource for our family. We haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of all that it offers in the realm of resources for time spent with God.

Here are a few links of resources I have used in the past in my quiet time with God. I love that there are so many different ways out there for us to meet Him. Yes, sitting with a Bible in your lap, reading the good book from cover to cover is wonderful, but truthfully when there are seasons in life where those words to just blur and your mind wanders, there are other Bible based ways to meet him too.

Music

The Spotify App is one of my faves. This year I have been making a playlist of songs we sing at church regularly and often have it playing while Olivia gets ready for school. She is learning the songs and to hear her sing the choruses with all her might at church just warms my heart. She is so on fire for her God. It’s inspiring. And of course there are the playlists I make just for me.

Podcasts

A few of my favourites:
God Centered Mom
HopeWriters
Mud Stories with Jacque Watkins
The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey
By Design
On Being with Krista Tippett
Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope

Audio Books

There are so many possibilities out there for books that have been put into audio. http://www.christianbook.com is my go-to place for books whether they are audio, paper, or e-book)

Scripture Reading Plans

Rachel Wojo (she’s my scripture reading plan fave)

Scripture Writing Plans

Sweet Blessings
The Busy Mom
Life Hope and Truth

Journaling

I have boxes worth of journals that I have filled in the past 30 years. I think I was ten when I started journaling. Maybe even younger. It’s never been consistent like a diary would be, but putting my thoughts down onto paper has always been cathartic to me. I’ve always liked a pretty journal, yet in the past two years I have turned to simple Composition Books from the dollar store. They make them so pretty now and the page size and thickness of the book is what works for me.

YouVersion

This is my favourite App for the Bible and devotional plans. If you haven’t every checked it out, do. There’s so much good stuff in there. It’s also been a good way for Jason and I to share thoughts on sermons. Every three months I miss a whole month of sermons at church because I have the privilege to teach Sunday School. It does, however leave a hole in our ability to discuss what was shared on those Sundays. J has been using YouVersion to take notes and highlight scripture as sermons are being shared. It’s been great for us in that way.