Quiet Time Basket

Having a consistent quiet time has always been a challenge for me. I'll go through times where it seems easy to set aside the time and to stick with it and other times it seems like just one more thing to add to my busy day of many things I don't have time for.

Recently I signed up at Good Morning Girls. This is an online accountability techie thing where you get a group of women together and check in with them each day. I always do better when I have to report to someone else. I am very hopeful that this will help me make my quiet time more of a priority.

So, I dusted off my Quiet Time Basket (QTB) and restocked it with things that are important to me. Basically, my QTB is a simple basic with books and other supplies that make it easier for me to just pick it up and have a productive quiet time. The location isn't important, it can be my favorite chair or outside or even with me when we go camping.

Here it is all stocked and ready to go. Now, to clarify, this is not my study stuff. That is a whole different kettle of fish. I need to sit at a table or desk to do my serious Bible study. I have several study Bibles, commentaries, dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. This small basket is for sweet, precious times with my Lord, intimate times, when I quietly read smaller portions of His Word, pray and meditate. The way I think of it is that there are times when Brian and I sit down and seriously discuss finances, the house, the children, our goals, etc. and then there are other times when we are just in sweet fellowship, talking about what is on our hearts and sharing the simple pleasures of being together and conversation. This is the contrast between my Bible study and my quiet time.

Here are all the things in my basket....a small Bible (I like NAS), my prayer journal, a devotional (Utmost for His Highest right now, but I have several I rotate through.), two books I am or will be reading, my reading glasses, assortment of pens and pencils, tissues, hand cream, gum, lip balm, a second little notebook (I use this to jot down things that come to my mind that I don't want to forget, but I don't want to be distracted.), my mp3 player (I have lots of praise and worship songs, hymns and sermons loaded.), a candle and matches and a small assortment of note cards (Often someone comes to my mind and I'll write them a quick note.).

I am sure there are many other items that you could add, perhaps a small silk flower, your favorite cd and player or a sketch book, anything that would make your quiet time more personal and meaningful.

So, I encourage you to put together your own Quiet Time Basket.