Time Out!

"At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place..."

Luke 4:42

A small, wooden, high-backed chair sits empty in a corner of my dining room. It caught my attention at a town-wide craft fair over twenty years ago and it's initial purpose was strictly ornamental. But as my children grew and I began a home day care, I soon discovered it was the perfect size for a child's bottom. Yes, you've guessed it. It became the "time-out chair."

For most children, a few minutes of solitude in the time-out chair helped calm the situation and improve their attitudes. Sometimes as adults, we need to a few minutes in the time-out chair too, even if we're not the ones who caused the ruckus.

Yesterday, I sent myself to the time-out chair. Oh, not the same chair, but my quiet chair; the one in my office.

It had been a rough Sunday morning of waking up late leaving us gulping down eggs without coffee and racing to church. Half way to the highway, my husband and I wondered if we should even go since our attitudes were so bad. But, we continued on, mostly out of a heart of obligation rather than worship. It ended up a bad decision.

Later that afternoon, I snuck away. In complete silence and solitude I rested in God's embrace and His Word, confessing my bad attitude and drinking in his grace. He filled me with His peace so by the end of my time-out I could walk in harmony with my husband and enjoy the company of my family.

We all have need of a time-out now and again. Even Jesus slipped away from the crowds to spend time in solitude, thinking and praying to his heavenly Father. If Jesus needed that quiet time, how much more do we need it?

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35