I ran across this editorial, from 2004, in which I shared with my readers what I had learned through journaling. This past year has been a frenzy of activity that had me forgetting to make time for God. This has been such a wonderful reminder of what daily time with the Lord can do for a person's soul that I thought I'd share with you--as I hope sharing will keep me accountable to make the necessary changes in my own life.

I've been spending between 45 and 60 minutes per day journaling, reading, and doing a daily bible study. It's amazing how getting aligned spiritually helps make the day more productive-and joyful.

At first, I tried to get right with the Lord before I started my day, but my mind would often wander and think about the tasks I had to accomplish for the day; wondering if I had an email or e-book order to fill, worried that I wouldn't have enough time to finish the project I had planned for the day, or other "keep me from spending time in the Word" distractions.

But then I decided that while I'd like to wake up and start every morning with the Lord, I haven't quite learned to quiet my mind from the day's busyness. So until I can, I decided to wake up, thank the Lord for the day, say a simple prayer, get a little work done for business and home, and then take the time to be with the Lord. And you know what I found?

That making time for the Lord after my morning has begun and before the kids come home from school is still "spending time in the Word" and getting to know my Lord better.

In fact, writing in my journal keeps me focused on "speaking" to my Lord, and in the process of my writing, I often find answers or revelations to situations at hand. And the ironic part is that the books I've been reading have always had something to do with a situation I'm working on my life. So not only do I feel like I am bonding with my heavenly Father, but I feel like I am growing and maturing as a child of God.

If you've found yourself yearning to spend more time with the Lord, but feel as though you just can't squeeze another minute in your day, may I suggest that you, too, do a little work and then take a break from the busyness of life to get reacquainted with the Lord? You may find it very hard at first, but if you dedicate a little time to the Lord each day, you'll soon find yourself "wanting, desiring, and longing" to spend quality time in the presence of your heavenly Father.

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