Happy Sabbath, friends! Today we’re going to explore one of the five love languages – quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, and receiving gifts. In our walk with the Lord, He desires that all five be present in our relationship with Him, but in this message we’ll focus on my favorite: quality time.

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What is quality time?

Quality time is defined as “time spent giving all of one’s attention to someone who is close (such as one’s child)” (Merriam-Webster).

Our Heavenly Father longs to have quality time with us – we are His children. He wants to give His full attention to each one of us because He loves us unconditionally. As His children, we should desire the same: to seek His presence and delight in His nearness.

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.”
— Psalm 34:15 (NIV)

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.”
— Isaiah 49:16 (NIV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
— Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
— Matthew 22:37 (NIV)

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Out of the five love languages, quality time is my favorite way to give and receive love. When I prioritize it with the people I cherish, I grow closer to them – and the same is true in our relationship with the Lord. We grow closer to Him as we make time to be with Him each day.

“As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’
‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
— Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

This story shows that our Heavenly Father values the moments we spend simply being with Him. Martha was distracted, but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened. Life is full of distractions – I know how easily I overwork and allow other things to crowd out time with God. But when I began to put time with Him first, I saw a beautiful change in my life. I look back and wouldn’t trade those moments for anything; they can never be taken away.

I encourage you to set aside time each day – even just five minutes – to sit at the Lord’s feet. Starting your morning with Him can make the whole day brighter. I’ve found that the days I begin with the Lord are always the best; my heart is calmer, my mindset clearer.

“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.”
— Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

“Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
— Psalm 90:14 (NIV)

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When we prioritize quality time with the Lord, every day He gives us is enriched.

Prayer:
Lord, I pray for everyone reading this message. Remove the distractions that keep us from You – they are only temporary, but moments with You last forever. Open our eyes to the opportunities to make time special for You. Help us choose, like Mary, to sit at Your feet instead of being consumed by the busyness around us. May our mornings and our lives be filled with Your presence.

“My soul yearns for You in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for You.”
— Isaiah 26:9 (NIV)

Amen.

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Merriam-Webster. (n.d.-b). Quality Time Definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quality%20time