Dianna Buchwalter

The loud annoying sound blared in my ear. “It’s 5:50 already?” I asked myself. I felt 83 instead of 38 as my body snap, crackled and popped after a few steps were taken from the bed to the bathroom. I woke one child, followed by the next three, made breakfast, fed the dog, brewed coffee and paid a bill online. Then, I remembered I needed to shower. I breathed a sigh of relief as, one by one, the kids safely made their way from our front door to the bus stop. I poured my cup of joe and sat down to meet with Jesus. Shortly after I thanked Him for the day, my mind wandered to the other bill I forgot to pay and if I washed the conditioner out of my hair. Ever been there? Where the thought of a calm, peaceful day or morning is a memory you seem to recall but is a little fuzzy. I sat down on my chair at work where I flipped my daily encouragement calendar. I grinned as it read “Be still and know I am God.” A few moments later, the same verse appeared in an article I read. “Ok...

“Just give me ten minutes please” I said in an elevated voice to my two children as one would call out "MOOMMMYYYY" and then the other.  It was 8:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning.  How could they bicker already I thought to myself. I cuddled up under my blanket, anxious to dive into the word and get lost for a moment with Jesus.  Two minutes later, one barges in my room followed by the other.  All I wanted was a few minutes alone with my Daddy.  I knew I wouldn’t get the study time I needed or wanted, so I waited.  As a single mom, it’s common for me to forego my quiet time for later in the day or at night once I know I can concentrate.  If you’re a single parent to smaller children, can you relate?  They require so much of our time that it’s hard to find solitude.  In an attempt to sneak in peace and quiet, we tiptoe around our home while they sleep, whisper long winded prayers like Lord, give me strength and play hide and seek,...