Interrupted Quiet Time

by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

Early one morning before the sun came up, I was attempting to complete my morning devotions while my 8-year old son was attempting to complete his own reading. Out of the blue he asked me, “Dad, did Samuel really only see his parents once a year after being dropped off at the temple when he was six?” He must have been somewhere between the judges and the kings in his “Jesus Calling” Bible Storybook. After I answered his question, we continued our dialogue. I eventually asked him a question, “How would you like it if I dropped you off at church so you could live there permanently?” My son cocked his head slightly, paused, and then replied, “Sure, as long as I could have all the the food in the church kitchen!”

I am often reminded that my children’s thinking process somehow always seems to run through their stomach. Their physical comfort and wants drives many of their spontaneous decisions. As I reflected on this developmental phenomenon, God quickly brought to my mind my own tendency to be led by temporal desires. Perhaps my favorite time of the day is when I wake early in the morning and place myself in a familiar chair with a familiar cup of coffee, and I spend time with my good, good Father. My best friend and wife Chauntel joins me as well (after I have provided her with a sweet cup of coffee).  

Recently, my children have interrupted our special time in the morning. It’s like they can somehow sense the light is on in the living room, and they soon magically appear. Most kids don’t want to go to bed early, but our children don’t want to get out of bed late. Regardless, my special “quiet time” with the Lord has been interrupted by the pitter patter of feet, the chomping of dry cereal, and constant questions from my children reading their Bibles. Here’s how my subsequent conversation has gone with God:

“Lord God, please give me the patience to endure the hardship of my children ruining my quiet time each morning.”

“Really, Adam. That’s what you want to pray about. You are angry that your own children are choosing to imitate the very disciplined behavior you hold so dear?”

“But God, how can I survive without completing my morning quiet time.”

“Well Adam, the very fact that you are choosing to have this conversation with me indicates we know each other well. Including them in your mornings will only draw you and I closer. I will give you the grace to do both.”

Boy do I have a lot to learn! I am so thankful how God chooses to live with us through intimate relationship as we seek him out every day. May our children hear and see the value we put on spending time with God, as we disciple a generation of Samuels!​

– Adam Kronberger / Superintendent