Heaven on earth

My dictionary defines solitude as “the state of being alone”. My thesaurus gives synonyms for solitude such as “seclusion”, “silence” and “privacy”. My experience shows me that solitude is a lost concept for many North Americans, particularly Christians.

Several months ago, the Lord began teaching me about solitude – being alone with Him. I had been praying for a new dimension in my prayer life, not knowing what that meant, just hungering for it. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

I decided to give my Mondays to God. Every Monday, I kissed my husband and kids goodbye, tidied the house a bit and opened my Bible. I would sing, kneel, pray, stand, read, dance, shout, study, whisper or remain silent – however the Holy Spirit led. To help me study, I pulled out helps: a concordance, a Bible dictionary, maps, an expository dictionary, my husband’s Thompson Chain Reference Bible – anything to answer the questions that surfaced while reading. Sometimes I’d consult my pastor, my husband or a friend.

These were days of fasting too. For the first time in years (and I fought this one), I began to fast regularly, one day a week. I also gave up two of my favourite pastimes – distractions really – for a period.

I can’t put my finger on how it happened exactly, but I began to grow stronger in faith, wiser in knowledge and fuller in experience. Jesus had waited a long time to get my attention; finally He had it, and we shared precious private moments together. James 4:8 promises: “Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

Today, seven months later, I still devote my Mondays to my Lord. Mondays are a love/hate day for me. My spirit loves them; my flesh hates them. To my flesh, Mondays mean denial – no food, no friends. For my spirit, Mondays are too wonderful for words. They are life to me. Of course I still pray, read the Bible and seek God during the week, and attend church regularly, but none of these compares to my Mondays with Jesus. It’s during those quiet times of study and prayer that He speaks to me. I’ve discovered fresh ways to worship Him. He’s given me new songs – of prayer, praise, confession and intercession. New tears fill my eyes. New joys fill my heart.

I’ve had to adjust, too. The first Monday, I dedicated the entire day – 8:00 to 2:30, while the kids were at school – to God. Was I disappointed! And bored. I had expected spiritual lightning, something supernatural, and got nothing – or so it seemed. I prayed longer than usual, meditated harder than usual and was hungrier than usual, but I felt disappointed. Since then, I’ve learned not to over-expect but to stay with God as long as the Spirit leads. It may be 30 minutes, or it may be three hours. Even if nothing seems to happen, in faith I know something is happening.

Interruptions come – sick children, holidays, vacations – but my Lord understands and patiently awaits the next time I come to Him for our time of solitude together. Mondays are my heaven on earth.

Ginger McGrath is freelance writer, church secretary and pastor’s wife from Leavenworth, Wash.