Today we provide the fourth theme on entering the quiet place that Gary Thomas shares from his book, Seeking The Face Of God.

4. A Slow Re-Entry After Prayer – Since spiritual contemplation is largely a lost art in today’s busy culture, we need to be reminded that spiritual truths, when first birthed, are fragile. A busy mind will choke them out as surely as weeds choke flowers. Francis de Sales wrote, “After prayer, be careful not to agitate your heart, lest you spill the precious balm it has received.”

When we charge from prayer into the blare of diversion, we crush the small blossom God has given us for the day.

Rise slowly, with reverence, and keep your eye trained on God’s face.

First, we want to say to mothers of small children–this is often not possible in your season of life. Don’t be discouraged, but use whatever time the Lord gives you with gratefulness. 🙂

Now for those of us who are able to sit and be still with the Lord, we must take this concept to heart. I heard someone say that they bookend their day in time spent with the Lord…He is their first thought when they awake and their last thought before they drift to sleep at night. Guard those moments of your day. Purpose to make Him your first and last, and everything in between will take its proper place in your mind and heart.

Thomas talks about the importance of keeping a journal…

…to help guard what God gives you in these moments. This is something I have benefitted from as well. I started a personal journal in 1989 as a direct result of God telling me to do so. I can’t express to you how helpful this one act of obedience has been in helping me remember what God has said. There have been words of encouragement I was able to refer back to years after they were given. There have been moments of victory I needed to be reminded of when I was facing discouragement.

Knowing and keeping a record of how God has led me through the years has helped my spiritual growth stay consistent in a way nothing else has. Mainly because if I didn’t write it down I would have certainly forgotten all the good He has done for me.

Do you journal? I encourage you to start.

Thomas concludes by saying:

The simpler I become, the freer my  mind becomes for spiritual understanding and discernment. Clues that flew by me before are now caught and understood. It’s as if the “static” is removed so that I can hear the messages more clearly.

Have you ever listened to a radio station with lots of static? It’s distracting to say the least. This is often how we hear God when our souls are distracted with other things.

Christ honored Mary for choosing the good part, which was sitting at His feet, while her sister Martha was worried and fretted over the temporary tasks of the day. God rewards those who seek the quiet place with Him. Imagine where you would be this time next year if you and your spouse took this challenge to heart, and made a place daily at your table for Him.

How has this series on Entering the Quiet helped you and your marriage? Has God spoken to you in the stillness? If not yet, know that He will. 

Our next post will deal with boredom in marriage and how it can actually be for your good.