A Date with God… {Creative Quiet Time at Home}

Many of you moms came to the Created for Care mommy retreat and got to experience a sweet hour created just for you to have a ‘date with God’…to spend time with Him–praying, reading scripture, listening, asking Him to show you His heart…

My dear friend Jenni Means led this time. She is the director of the children’s ministry at Northlands Church in Norcross, Georgia and often they facilitate this special time for the children in their program. When we were praying about the Created for Care retreat, Jenni told me about this time they have for children–and I just loved it…only for these women–also His children.

On the Saturday of the retreat, there were 10-15 volunteers in this room who had been preparing and praying over the women who would come. Upon arrival, the women were told about this special hour on Saturday and they were able to sign up for a time in the “Date with God” room during their free time…which would last around 1 hour. While it was originally designed for children–I have heard more miraculous stories about what happened in hearts over the weekend during this time. God showed up in ways these women didn’t expect–and without expecting it…they had fun seeking Him in new, creative ways–and many stayed well past their hour as they didn’t want to leave.

A prayer wall with prayers of each of the women…giving us a time to pray over and for one another…a painting station with acrylics and paintbrushes…a tent full of pillows to rest and listen…a cross with Bibles and scripture at the foot to seek Him through His word…in another corner–globes and maps to pray for the world…another place to doodle and draw…and another corner with tables full of playdough/clay. And each station–had a purpose. A different focus.

I will never forget running in that room after it was over realizing in my planning and coordinating that I JUST MISSED the 4 hours set aside for women to come in that room. I ran in…my breath winded–and I said to Jenni, “Oh I’m so sad! I think I’m too late.” Sweetly she led me in with her hand on my back and whispered, “It’s never too late.” I held back tears and knelt at the cross. Tears came down in my exhaustion and I prayed…

Then I looked around…knowing the women must be ready to pack things up–but the worship music continued softly and I could see these women were praying FOR me as I had my time with the Lord. I felt their prayers–and most importantly…I felt His presense. I prayed about where I should then go…and I walked over to the paints. I looked in front of me and saw a sign “Ask God to show you His heart…” I picked up a paintbrush…worship music playing in the distance–I closed my eyes and asked Him to show me His heart…and I began to paint.

I can’t describe how freeing, worshipful and sweet that time was for me. I also can’t tell you how it has also changed how I see my time as a stay-at-home mom. There I was in this room–worshiping with paint, playdough, markers…all things we use regularly at home just killing time and “trying” to be creative…and I realized that THIS was worship. My day-in-day-out diapers, laundry, playdough, paints, hotdogs, naptimes, play times…they CAN BE worship.

And they can be so much MORE for my children too.

So this week…I got out the paints…and I explained to my children what worship is…and how it isn’t always singing or praying. Often, it’s doing what we do every day–but it’s our heart WHILE we are doing it that can make it worship.

I turned on the music…and we talked about God…about heaven…about Jesus…about His hope for us. And we dreamed together.

“What should be paint mama?” Laney asked.

“Just dream of how sweet it is to be in His presence…and paint that.”

Their eyes widened…and they began to paint…

Their sweet voices quietly shared with one another what they were painting…and what it meant to them…

This was just for THEM…but this momma found herself taken away and I didn’t want to paint on their drawings…but before I knew it I found I couldn’t resist–and I joined them by painting on the napkins…

Isaac sweetly danced to the music…

I love how he waves his hands back and forth when he dances.

And then Frankie-baby woke up from his nap and wanted to join in too…

I stood over Frank’s work and was taken back by His goodness in my life…and speechless…unable to describe with words the power of His presence…

We talked about their work…and then the big picture…from painting to playdough to chalk…I see their sweet hearts and how He is shaping them…and I’m so thankful to be their momma…

This is such a sweet and fun way to show your children another way to spend time with God…and how everything we do can be worship. You’re never too old to go on a “Date with God” with playdough and paint…and you’re never too young either…

HERE IS A DOWNLOADABLE HOW-TO WITH MORE RESOURCES!