Building My Fortress of Solitude

Day two hundred forty-one

I was working on the meditate on what I've learned throughout the day part of my plan and it led me to some interesting questions and then to some interesting answers. I know that I posted my thoughts on solitude this morning, but I kept feeling that there was more.  So I gave in to my desire to learn more and went digging for information.  I wanted to know more about how to build my fortress of solitude.  How can I get the most out of the quiet time I spend with the Lord?

Building My Fortress of Solitude
Finding a quiet time at my house is not always easy, it requires getting up early and staying focused on what I am doing.  After years of teaching Seminary I am programmed to get up  sometime between 6 - 6:30am.  My husband is already off to work at this time and my two teenage sons are still in there man caves sleeping.  If I continue to get up at this time and stay focused long enough I can use this time to study and write my blog.  Did you notice the 'if'?  Why did I say 'if'?  I could have said, "I WILL continue to..."  My lack of commitment is already showing!  Step one in building my Fortress of Solitude:  Stay committed!

I have a time allotted, now I need a place.  We recently created an office space in one of the upstairs rooms.  I moved my study resources into the room and have decided that this is the best place for me to study and write.  It is quiet and I won't bother anyone who is sleeping with the clicking of the computer keys.  Step two: Dedicated time and space! 

Yeah, I have a fortress! Now what's the best way to use it?

Making the Most of It
Prayer
One of my goals in writing this blog was to make my prayers more meaningful.  I am one of those people that loves simple little word play or acronyms that bring gospel principles to mind.  The simpler the better!  I was looking through my notes and I found a little note that I had written in one of my previous study sessions.  It reads:

P - Praise (Thank God for what he has done for you)
R - Repent (Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness)
A - Ask (Ask God for the things that are in your heart)
Y - Yield (Give God control of your life.  Let the Spirit guide you)

It doesn't get much simpler than that.  I love it!  So I wrote it on a post it note and put it where I would see it. Sitting in a quiet, comfortable environment sounds like a great time to have meaningful prayer.  Step three:  I WILL take the time to praise, repent, ask, and yield in my prayers each day!

Scripture Study
The other goal is to read, study and write about what I have learned each day.  There have been a few days when I have not been able to fulfill this goal.  I have read and studied the scriptures everyday, but I haven't always written about it. I am working on catching up, but in order to fulfill my goal I need to ask the question: How can I get the most out of my scripture study?

On another post-it note I have written the following:...

A - About God (What do I learn about God from this passage?)
S - Sin (What warning is God giving about sin?)
P - Promise (Is there a promise in these words?  How does it relate to me?)
E - Example (Is there an example that I should follow?)
C - Command (Is there a command that I need to obey?)
T - Teaching (What can I apply to my life from this verse?)

The word aspect is significant, it means: appearance to the eye or mind; nature; quality; character; a way in which a thing may be viewed or regarded; interpretation; view. 

I use this information to jump start my thinking process. It keeps me focused on what I am supposed to be learning.  It is how I find those things in the scriptures that make me want to learn more.  Reading, learning, and pondering in my fortress of quiet with all my resources is sounding pretty appealing! Step four: I WILL take time each day to read, study and write about what I have learned from the scriptures.

I am feeling much better about building my fortress of solitude.  I am prepared, I have a plan, and I am committed. It will be interesting to see how spending time in my fortress will affect my view of myself. Will I like being by myself?  Am I a good person to hang with?  More importantly I am looking forward to how my relationship with God will be strengthened.  I can't think of a better blessing for my efforts!