3 Simple Ways to Return to Quiet Time as a New Season Begins
There's something about late August that makes us reflect. Maybe it's the sound of school bells in the distance, the cooler mornings, or just the feeling that something new is beginning. Even if we're not packing backpacks anymore, this time of year offers a fresh start-a chance to reset our routines and return to what matters most. If summer pulled you away from your regular time with God, you're not alone. But you don't need a perfect plan or a full hour carved out each day. Here are three gentle ways to rebuild a devotional rhythm this season-ways that make space for grace.
1. Begin your morning with God's Word
Before the day unfolds-before the emails, errands, and to-do lists-give those first quiet moments to the Lord. Even a short passage of Scripture can settle your spirit and shift your focus. Try reading a psalm aloud or journaling one verse that stands out. When we start with God, everything else finds its rightful place.
One simple practice that has helped me is writing down just one verse, just one, and sitting with it. What does it say about God? What does it say about me? What does it invite me to believe or do? Sometimes that one verse becomes the whisper that follows me all day long, gently nudging me back to peace or wisdom when the hours get hectic.
When we start with God, we’re reminded that our worth doesn’t hinge on how productive or perfect our day is. It’s rooted in who He is, and in His love that never changes.
2. Prepare a space for stillness
You don’t need a prayer closet or a Pinterest-perfect setup to meet with God. What matters most is that your heart knows, this is time set apart. I’ve found that when I lay out my Bible and journal the night before, I’m far more likely to follow through in the morning. It’s a simple step, but it helps remove the excuses.
Keep a pen you love nearby. Maybe add a blanket, a candle, or a quiet playlist. Little touches can make that space feel like a gentle invitation rather than another task on your list.
For me, it’s not just about comfort, it’s about intention. When I enter that space, I’m reminding my soul: this is where we meet with the Lord. This is where the striving stops, and the listening begins.
3. Let consistency matter more than perfection
Devotion doesn’t have to happen the same way every day. Some mornings, I open my Bible with a cup of coffee before anyone else is awake. Other days, I listen to a short devotional in the car - on the way to school drop-off or in the quiet after it. Sometimes it’s not until evening, when the house is still again, that I finally sit down with God’s Word.
Whatever your rhythm looks like, the key is just to keep showing up. A few minutes in Scripture, a quiet prayer whispered while folding laundry, a verse you write down and carry with you—all of it counts.
If you miss a day, don’t let guilt talk you out of returning. God’s not measuring your success, He’s meeting you with grace. Whether it’s early morning or late evening, He’s always ready to meet you right where you are.
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Sample Studies:
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Photo credit: ©GettyImage/Daniela Jovanovska-Hristovska
Originally published August 21, 2025.
