It was stunning. Right out of a magazine-redone with impeccable attention to detail. Backing up to a green space and public park, the mid-century modern home had the right balance of warm wood and airy simplicity. It was a recent trip to visit our Pacific Northwest kids, that my husband, Darrell and I went to a neighborhood open house. It’s always fun to dream what it might be like to live near any of our kids since none of the live within driving distance. Dreams are fool proof. They don’t cost a dime and are full of grand adventures, even if they never happen. This summer however, we are enjoying a bit of the dream by temporarily being “near” our kids.

We worked on many details, to make the “be near summer” happen. As new grandparents, we wanted the chance to be just across town Papa and Gaga; to see our granddaughter and kids regularly–as if we really lived near. It’s been a gift, but not something that happened on a whim. “Being near” meant being out of our own community for a while. To do that, we had to think through far more details than we would’ve for a typical vacation. I made lists for us, and I checked them off. I researched places for a longer stay, flights for my husbands work schedule and started making all the arrangements -months ago. Planning. Investigating. Deciding. Doing.

Some have teased me I missed my calling as a Travel Agent. I enjoy the challenge of pulling lots of details together. Ironically, I don’t use that same energy on everything I do, even other things I value.  I wonder if you can you relate? Is there something you value in words but struggle to show that value with actions? What would it take to apply some  “summer plan energy” to other important items on your list?

I observed several in my family complete their master’s level of education. I learned one doesn’t simply wake up saying, “I want my Master’s Degree this week” and place an Amazon order. There is no Prime delivery for education. No short cuts and lots of hard work, with determination, to reach the goal.

So why do I approach my personal time with God (an activity I say that I value) as if it was something I could check off my list via rush order? I’ll repeat this to myself: there is no Amazon delivery that gives me a shortcut to time with Jesus. In order to “check the box” of time with my Savior, I need to plan for it like I do a family adventure. If I want to “be near” to God, like I wanted to “be near” my kids, I have to make space, prepare and follow through.

What does making space and preparing look like?

• Cozy place to sit? Check.
• Favorite beverage? Check.
• Supplies? Bible, pen, headphones, paper, instrumental music selection. Check.
• Time blocked off on my calendar? Check.
• Willing heart and determination to stick to the plan? Check.

I’m looking at this list and I’m thinking how many other things I do this for but NOT always my time with Jesus. It frustrates me to acknowledge this. Even when I write it into a calendar slot, if I’m not paying careful attention, other things fill the space meant for relationship building with the God of the universe.The enemy loves to keep us away from this relationship building time. I can’t comprehend missing a flight for a family adventure or departing a day later than planned. I wouldn’t arbitrarily miss a coffee date with a friend. So why, oh why don’t I guard my time with God Almighty, who wants to have a relationship with me? If this is you too, take heart.

I’ve been working on this. Something I have tried recently–and by gosh it is helping. Don’t laugh, even though my husband does on occasion. I put bulky headphones on when I want to tune out the world and tune into Jesus. I do. Why bulky headphones? Why not just earbuds? Good question–glad you asked!

• For one: they take more effort. That goes back to my intentionality.
• Two: they remind anyone near me I am unavailable for random conversation. (this may or may not work with littles, roommates or in coffee shops, but it’s worth a test drive. Susanna Wesley, mother to famed brothers John and Charles Wesley, literally sat with her white apron thrown up over her head and face to show to her brood that she was not available while under the apron. She and Jesus were having a very important meeting–a VIM!)
• Three–classical or instrumental music is something I can play as background that helps me tune other things out. Your music choice might be different or not at all.
• Four – nothing on my list is “required”. You have a hotline to Jesus anytime, you need him, you just talk to him anywhere, anytime. This list is for that intentional relationship building time. To get the most out of it, we put thought into it ahead of time.

Okay–here we go! ACTION PLAN time. Let’s make our VIM (very important meeting) happen!

Not only am I going to schedule my VIM with J.E.S.U.S. but I am also going to guard it and pray about guarding it. I’m going to skip lesser things to make it happen. I’m going to communicate to those in my household that this time is uninterrupted. Even blocking it off on my physical and digital calendar. Note–we aren’t talking hours here. Being consistent with 15 minute chunks surprises even me, how much easier it is to keep making it happen.

An author/coach I respect insists that some of her best ideas make it onto paper or into her laptop, in dedicated 15 minute time slots. Don’t underestimate a well-planned, 15 minutes. Put it on the calendar, pick the best of your cozy spaces–this might be your favorite chair, the patio, your car or even the closet. Then don your headphones, get paper, pen, Bible, favorite beverage and go!

• First, pray that your time would honor God and grow your faith, which will also grow your desire to keep meeting him.
• Read a passage one or two times through. Don’t know where to start?  Try the Gospel of John in the New Testament. It tells about Jesus life.
• Ask a few questions about who, what, when, where, how, and why. If you can’t answer them from within that passage, it’s okay!
• Write the answers you can and anything else that stands out.
• End your time with another prayer, thanking God for His faithfulness to meet you where you are.
• Check, check and check. Now do it again tomorrow.  15 minutes. Let’s do this!

Go “be near” God, get cozy. Talk to him and read his Word back to him. Allow him to show you He is near to you, always.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 ESV