Treasured Time

As with any relationship, making time for that special someone, one-on-one time, is so important. My husband and I need our time alone together to connect:  time without the kids surrounding and interrupting us; time that says, “You are important to me,” time that says, “I care enough about you to stop everything else I’m doing and listen to you because I love you.”

We have a fairly large family of five children and, since I homeschool, we’re usually all together.  Still, my children often come to me and ask if we can have one-on-one time, just them and me without anyone else. So, every once in a while we’ll sneak in a shopping trip and grab something to drink.  But, most of the time I will simply let a child stay up with me and watch a movie later than the others, or snuggle in bed with me, or bake something, just the two of us. These are such precious moments when we can talk about what they are interested in or what is going to be coming up in their lives.  My husband likes to take a child, one-on-one, when he goes on an errand and the kids love to just be with him, secretly hoping that they end up with a little toy or candy. These occasions create memories that will last a lifetime.

These are the special times that we all need to stay truly connected to one another and feel individually special. The same is true of our Father in Heaven. Yahweh wants us to seek him, to want to have a relationship with Him. One man, David, was known to have a heart after Yahweh (Acts 13:22). When one reads the Psalms it is apparent that he and Yahweh must have had a special love for each other.  Psalms 63:1 reads, “O Elohim, you are my El; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirstest for thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” As believers we need to ask ourselves if we are truly longing after our Father in Heaven.

In John 14:23 Yahshua told Judas, “If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.” Our Father and Savior  both want us to love and follow them.  We are told that if we love Yahshua and hold fast to His teachings, we will have our Father’s love and that He and Yahshua will reside in us. In John 15: 14 one reads, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” It is so amazing that we have a Father and Savior who love and care so much for us.

In Psalms 53:3 David wrote, “My voice shall Thou hear in the morning, O Yahweh; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.” Notice how David starts his day. We see a similar pattern with Yahshua in Mark 1: 35, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” There are many ways to find alone time with our Maker.  One reads in Joshua 1:8 that Yahweh commanded Joshua to meditate day and night on the book of the Law. Nevertheless, I find the morning such an appropriate time to start my day out on the right foot.

I know that when I make a conscience choice to wake up early and have that alone time with my Father, my whole day just goes better. My husband would confess to you that I like my sleep. For me, to wake up early before the kids get up is hard. However putting forth the effort is always rewarding and I always feel so refreshed and ready to start the day out right when I do.   It is easy to get caught up in the daily distractions of life: phones ringing, children needing attention, preparations for supper, etc.  The Spirit can lead better before everyone else is up.

I have to admit I struggle with patience. Yet, when I read Yahweh’s word, I find so many Scriptures encouraging us to be patient, longsuffering and kind, and to think of others more than ourselves. It is almost as if I can feel the spirit filling me with strength to make it through the day showing love to my family and to others. When I start to waver I can remember a Scripture I read earlier that day and I quickly try to redirect my attitude.

I have a friend who lives 10 hours away. We have managed to stay close even though at times we have gone through years without seeing each other. Both being super busy moms we simply call when we can. Every once in a while we will talk for almost an hour, but most of the time our calls are short and, sometimes, only a couple of minutes long. Still, on those days I always feel a bit more cheerful. Someday, when we are old women, we will call and be able to reminisce for hours. For now, on most days I am happy for an encouraging word or two.

Admittedly, my prayer time sometimes reflects this friendship. Not always do I get to my morning devotion. Sometimes the responsibilities of daily life –  sick children, staying up too late to finish chores, or simply feeling overly exhausted – cause me to stay in bed, trying to squeeze in every last ounce of sleep I can until a little one comes in asking for breakfast. But if I purpose to get up early every day, chances are most mornings I will get to my treasured time in prayer and reading.

Let us make a goal to work on the most precious relationship we will ever have in this lifetime and make sure we are setting apart time to let His spirit abide in us.

by: Jessica Mansager