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After graduating college, my husband Tim and I served as missionaries in Africa for a few years. Many times throughout my life I have reflected back to the experiences I had and the lessons that I learned during the time we were there.

In our youthful enthusiasm, Tim and I set out on a trip to visit our missionary friends. We followed what we had been taught as new missionaries in Zaire in 1974. We had our directions since there were no street signs or traffic lights on these dirt roads. There weren’t even any gas stations or other stores where we could stop to ask for help.

We had everything we needed in the car before we left – food, things to take to our friends, and plenty of gas to make the trip there and back. Not long after we left home, less than an hour into our trip, our car started having problems running properly.

Tim tinkered with the engine but it didn’t help. We prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom to know how to fix it so we could make it to our destination. We had really been looking forward to this trip. It became obvious that we couldn’t make it another hundred miles since the car would go no more than 25 miles per hour, so we turned around and limped home. I was confused and disappointed. Why God hadn’t answered our prayer?

When we returned home we had a mechanic at the missionary station who looked at the car for us. He was stunned by what he saw. He told us that the gas line was leaking directly onto the engine and that he had no idea how the engine kept from exploding. If we had continued the trip as we wanted, the engine certainly would have exploded and we probably would not have survived.

We were stunned! God knew what our need was even though we didn’t. He answered our prayer by making it impossible for us to continue our trip successfully, and by giving us the wisdom to turn around and head home. How thankful we were for His goodness!

Thank you God for protecting us, even when it is from our own desires. It blows me away that you know all of our needs and that you care enough to guide and protect us.

Following several years as a missionary, Dr. Ann Shorb began a career in counseling and is the founder of Christian Counseling & Educational Services in Hanover, PA. She provides a variety of services including pre-marital counseling and help with overcoming sexual addiction.

Keeping a consistent daily quiet time with God is one of the hardest things we face in our Christian life. Why? Because our adversary the devil, knows that therein lays the secret of our strength and victory as believers. If he can get us off track, our power and wisdom are diminished, therefore, it’s essential to develop the habit of regularly meeting with God.

To start with, choose a time that you will use each day for prayer and reading the Bible. Make this part of your schedule a priority each day and don’t blow it off because of other things that need to be done. We’re used to scheduling our important activities and appointments, but we usually only give God the extra time that isn’t needed for other things.

Designate a place where you can be uninterrupted. (I can hear young mothers saying now, “And where would that be?”) For some it’s a favorite chair or room in the house. Others find tranquility in the early hours at the office or shop. Whatever spot you choose, keep your Bible, devotional and study books, prayer journal, pen and any other materials you need close by.

The third and final step is to come up with a plan for what you will be doing with your quiet time. You may choose to study a specific book of the Bible (or group of books), read through the entire Bible, or follow along through a devotional book or workbook.

Looking ahead to the next year, make an effort to find quality materials that will help you in your studies of Scripture. Pray that God would help you to determine what you should study and what resources you should be using.

A daily time of meditation, study and prayer are as essential to your spiritual health as nutritious food is to your physical well-being. Make an appointment with God and make it a priority to be there!

Father, I know how important it is that I have time alone with you each day. Help me to put aside the distractions and to prioritize this time. Show me what you would have me to study and how I can apply it to my daily life.

Ann Shorb is the founder of Christian Counseling & Educational Services in Hanover, PA. Through CCES she provides clients with premarital counseling, marriage counseling, help with depression, AD/HD, grief, anxiety, and many other issues.