We just spoke on this subject in Sunday School and although I have been doing my morning devotion lately due to being off work, I realized something was missing. Our Pastor shared he had started getting up earlier in the morning and what he does in his time with God. Starting with asking God to bless our time together and having a notebook, pen, and my Bible, I begin to look at my day and ask Him for whatever strength or blessing I need. Then I write prayer requests. This ends with reviewing past requests to see how He has answered because He always does, one way or the other. Then we are to read our devotion but so far I have forgotten and read it first. I know this works well as I have done it in the past but it's a habit one must continue. Early in the morning is a wonderful time because of the birds and less noise, I agree! God bless you on your path to continue. Jamie

Just here to say welcome to the blogosphere! I'm looking forward to the conversations.

I am looking forward to reading the blog posts! I am always searching for posts that challenge, inspire, and make me think...should be great!

Great post, Jane. I've experienced so many still and wonderful moments with God, courtesy of my dog's "urgency," as your wrote, in the middle of the night. Something cat owners will never know about!

But this was a terrific reminder for me to use any moments where God gives me pause and some peace (and right now that means middle-of-the-night nursing sessions with my baby boy!) to sense him, his glory, and his majesty in my jam-packed life. Thanks for this.

Blessings!

I just want to say as a Christian growing daily- from 3 years ago to now- I so enjoy reading all of articles and tips. I have enjoyed being comforted through writings of the other womens articles which at times coincide with my own trials.

I ask God each day to give me a miracle. It helps me to notice more of what I used to take for granted. Whether it was a sunrise, or sunset..A kind word or just an email that says: Iwas thinking of you.

Thank you for all YOU LADIES do.

regards,
callistre

Thank you for a lovely reminder of how distracted we can be. And, how faithful and generous the Lord is when we finally allow the stillness and knowing to seep into those special moment.

Hi Jane and others, As one of your contributing writers, I'm thrilled to be able to be one of the first leaving a comment. I love TCW. I look forward to keeping in touch with each of you through the TCW Editor's blog.

Suzanne Eller

Hi, Jane,
I have used journaling for years as a way to "stop and smell the roses." Whenever I travel, I take a journal. If I drive through scenery that strikes me, or weather that is dramatic, or see people just being themselves in a way that brings a smile or a chuckle, I jot it down in my journal. Blogging is the new journaling--but with an audience. Now I am drawing on my old journals to glean material for my new blogs. Who knew?

Thanks for starting this blog. I've just started subscibing to your newsletter and am glad to be part of this blog from onset. I'm from Calcutta, India. I don't have pets but God has spoken in the past through the singing birds and an occasional woodpecker about the bliss of an early morning quiet time. Enjoyed reading the entry and am looking forward to much more.

My intentional mornings begin at 5am with sun shining through my window. I take this time to quietly thank GOD for my son everyone as I place a kiss on his sleepy head. I sit queitly in front of my big window and look at the sky as I talk to God. My quiet time as everyone is sleeping. My only quiet time in the whole day. My time with God.

thanks for your blog. I have been so busy that it is June 8th and I am just now reading my mail. My husband and I went on a mission and returned on Memorial Day, but the suitcases are still packed! It seems you get enough time to keep up with the today stuff, while yesterday piles up around you. What's up with that!? This is my first posting...what's a URL?

Hi Jane. Know just what you mean about that 'quiet time'. First comes the discipline of making the slot then comes the time when it's no more a discipline but a necessity - and an enjoyable one! Easier for me being retired now, but making that time is always something I have had to do - it doesn't come easily does it! God bless. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Your dog is super! Love Ann Dean (Mrs)

I started to read this entry as I opened my computer to do some minutes for a Cancer Foundation board that I serve. It was a jolt to remember that we speed along to the dawn and miss the "Son Rising" in our daily lives. Thank you for the wake up challenge as I thank God for the good sense of sight,sound,smell, taste and touch. God is an Awesome God and He allows us to go along for the ride!

God gives you gifts when you least expect and it is so awesome that he can use four-legged friends. Two Sundays ago I was trying to keep my two-year-old Lab quiet as my husband had to work that night. We ended up spending an hour on the front porch just being him chewing on a tennis ball and me with my Bible. It is just awesome how God works.

Good morning,

I have found time to be with God early in the morning, most mornings, I am awaken by my 14 month old son who gets me up between 6 & 6:30. But yesterday he slept until 8 am, at 6:45 I woke up without his cues & was worried because I hadn't heard him yet, I checked on him but he was peacefully sleeping. Since I am 6 months pregnant, getting back to sleep was impossible so I decided this is a great time to spend some quiet time reading & praying, I am currently reading Come Thirsty by Max Lucado & it was perfect way to start the day with some bible reading & praying. I am trying to use this early morning time each morni ng...if I get it, otherwise, unfortunately, God seems to get pushed to the end of the day! Sometimes, I fall asleep praying when I collapse into bed! But the more time I spend with God, the more I get the message I need for that day, that is what amazes me!

My first attempt at blogging (at 81) and just having to put our 14+ black lab to sleep the picture of your precious puppy made me want to blog. After one's own children, dogs are truly responsible for quiet moments with God. I aways had a "Prayer rock" down by our part of the town river where I would pray while sydney would swim. Since she has been gone I still have a quiet time in the house, but have not taken the time to walk to my rock and enjoy God's beauty all around. We are so blessed in this country that we can have such moments. And to easily read and write what other Christian women are feeling! What joy!

I thoroughly enjoy every article written here and this blog was no different. I am actually feeling guilty because in the early morning hours when I wake up before I want to, I whine and complain to get more sleep. Your blog has made me want to capture those early morning moments so that I can continue on my quest to delight myself in the Lord and finish discovering my purpose in Him. Thank you thank you thank you for living a transparent life before us.

I enjoy reading all your comments . . . thanks so much for the feedback. I'm also always intrigued by the way God can use animals to teach us things. It's interesting; Boomer is helping me get out and about in my neighborhood, meeting new people and striking up new conversations, more than I would usually. He's a great ice breaker and I think God can and will use this to help me build some interesting connections. Blessings!

Hello Jane,
Thanks for this write-up. I have been lazy about having a quiet time in the mornings under the pretext that I have to get my son ready for school.
Your blog is a reminder of the fact that, I have selfishly over looked the many blessings of God which surround us under the pretext of having a "busy schedule". God helping me I will turn over a new leaf.

God only gives us sooooo many sun (son) rises, lifes so short, I really don't want to miss any. Elizabeth George taught me to: Beat my family up every morning! I have really enjoyed it and it sets the tone of the whole day, my spirit is in tune with those special moments that Gods wants me to share with him. He helps us enjoy our journey in his wonderful creations. Joyfully yours.

Hi Jane, Just want to say thanks for the reminder. Ihave been waking up at 5 am
for my quiet time and there is a rooster just outside my window that I used to get upset about but after reading your blog Ican thank God for him because some times when I fall asleep it is the rooster that wakes me up again. I think its a God thing Just Him saying this is our time together.
Again thanks and please keep the blogs coming it is blessing.

What happened that early morning was 'intentional'. God wanted you to feel and experience the beauty of His creation. He is a God of plan and purpose.

I find it amazing and totally appropriate that birds do their most exuberant rejoicing in the early mornings. I think they must be praising God for a brand new day, and that it is fitting that we do the same. One of my favorite ways of having quiet time is to settle into my front porch swing with a cup of coffee, a
Bible, and a journal and work out my problems with my heavenly Father before
everyone else is up and about. This practice truly sets the tone for the rest of the day. Also, I like to sing hymns and choruses that remind me of how great God is. (I live out in the country where no one can hear me and think I'm disturbing the peace with my less that beautiful voice.)

I am reminded of God's world every day as I live in the middle of the forest. I see his work everywhere. It is too bad more people do not appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

Every morning when my husband and I have our early morning coffee before our chores, I read the Bible aloud. Sometimes, I may take a little longer, and read a chapter of one of Billy Graham's or Norman Vincent Peale's books. It makes our day start off good!

Thank you all, it happens to me queit resently. I am currently doing this job that i have to spend most of my day in the office. i have to leave the house early and come home late. i spend most of my time on my way home talking to God, n most time it is about complianing to Him about one thing or another. one day i heard him say to me to look up, n when i did i notice the the noon, the stars and the sky. n how beautiful it was, i realised for a long time i have not even bother to see the beauty around me, the greens of the the plants, the birds of the air or the beauty of the sun.

may ghana