Finding Quiet Time with the Lord (Even When You Have Little Kids)

We’ve all been there—trying to carve out those peaceful moments with God, only to be interrupted by the energetic demands of little ones. I used to believe that quiet time had to be a solo activity, preferably first thing in the morning, but that changed once I realized my kids were just as much morning people as I am! If you’ve ever tried to sneak in some quiet moments with God and been greeted by wide-eyed children ready to start their day, you know the challenge.

But here’s the good news: quiet time with the Lord doesn’t have to be exclusive to you! It also doesn’t have to happen in the morning. In a previous post, I talked about finding time throughout your day to grow your faith ([link to previous post here]). For me, mornings work best, so I decided to bring my daughter into the process, turning it into a special time we share together.

Building a Bible Bag Together

To help keep our quiet time a little more peaceful, I created a Bible bag for my daughter, modeled after mine. She was so excited to be part of this! We built it together, and I made sure to include some of the same tools I use in my own time with God—because even little ones can feel the significance of those moments. You can check out my post about building your own Bible bag here ([link to Bible bag post]).

The key is to make this process fun and inviting for your child. Customize their bag with things they’ll enjoy, like printable Christian coloring pages, Bible storybooks, or simple journaling supplies. If your child is younger, incorporating fun, hands-on activities like playdough or even popsicle stick puppets might help keep their attention while you're both engaged in quiet time.

Some Tools to Consider:

• Christian Coloring Pages – There are plenty of free printable resources out there that feature Bible stories or verses.

• RightNow Media Cartoons – These faith-based cartoons are perfect for introducing little ones to the stories of the Bible in a way they’ll understand.

• YouVersion Kids Bible App – This app is a wonderful, interactive way for children to engage with scripture.

• Free Drawing and Journaling – Encourage your child to free draw or write in a journal. This doesn’t need to be controlled—just like our own quiet time, it’s about their personal expression and connection with God.

Modeling Quiet Time

One of the most impactful things we can do as parents is to model what time with God looks like. Your kids will watch and learn from you. I’ve learned to embrace that my morning quiet time isn’t always so quiet, but it’s still sacred. Whether we’re journaling, reading a devotion, or simply spending time in prayer, it’s not just about me anymore—it's an opportunity to show my children how we can grow closer to God, no matter where we are or what stage of life we're in.

Letting Go and Letting God

Here’s the important part: don’t stress about what your child is doing during this time. It doesn’t have to be perfect or follow a set structure. Some days my daughter is quietly coloring, and other days she’s more interested in asking questions about the stories we read. I’ve learned to let go of controlling this time and allow it to be free and flexible, trusting that God is working in both of us through it.

Let your child’s quiet time be their own. It's not about perfection, and it certainly isn’t about following all the “rules.” Let it be a free space where they, too, can encounter God in their own unique way—just like we do in our own quiet time.