Thursday thoughts: Planning and preparing for priorities By JILL JOHNSON Thursday, January 22, 2026 Lottie is our 9-year-old youngest granddaughter. Wayne usually takes her to school every morning. Let's just say she is normally not "thrilled" about the idea of getting ready for school. She is required to be in the building by 7:25 to avoid being tardy, and she usually makes it with "maybe" a minute to spare. This is definitely not because of her driver, if you know what I mean. Getting her motivated to get ready and out the door can be a challenge, or it was until the first of the year. Several of Lottie's good friends are not in her class, and the only time she would get to see them was at recess. All of a sudden, at the first of the month, Lottie decided she wanted to be at school at 6:45 when the doors opened. We were quite shocked and surprised, especially knowing that if you are at school that early you have to go and sit in the gym until 7:05 when they allow you to go to your classroom. Lottie, however, was quite excited to go and sit in the gym. You see, she found out that her friends are there early, so from 6:45 until 7:05 they can sit together in the gym and have quality friend time. Lottie has been up and ready to go every morning by 6:30. That alone time with her friends is important to her. I started thinking about Lottie and immediately God reminded me of the similarities between her "friend time" and my "quiet time." Let me explain. Lottie has a plan to make sure she does not miss out on her friend time. She sets her alarm on her watch for 6:15 every morning. It's important to her, so she makes sure she doesn't miss it. I should do the same. A quiet time is a dedicated time each day set aside to connect with God. As much as Lottie needs that daily friend time, I desperately need time alone with my Heavenly Father. Time with God is the only way to hear what He has to say to me through His Word and to focus my thoughts on Him through prayer. For me, the ideal time is in the morning, but I realize it might be different for everyone. The point is to make a plan and keep your daily appointment to spend time with God. Proverbs 8:24 says, "Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Another thing Lottie does is prepare so that she is ready to leave early. She lays her clothes out and packs her lunch the night before, so she is ready to leave. She doesn't want to take the chance of something not being ready that might hinder her time. To make a quiet time the most productive, you have to be prepared. I need a quiet place, I need my Bible, my journal, and any devotional material I might use. Preparation is the key. If I am prepared daily for my quiet time, I am more in tune to God because my relationship with Him is alive and active. I am able to hear His voice and sense His direction for my day. Time with God is my first priority. Just like Lottie wants to spend some quality time with her friends to start her day, we should all strive to spend daily quality time with our Savior. Lottie's friends may change over the years, but my prayer is that she will learn to trust the greatest friend she will ever have in Jesus. He is the only One who can love you like no other, meet you right where you are, give you peace that passes understanding, constantly provide encouragement, give you joy for the journey, and strength for your times in need. I pray we will be faithful friends who share the love of our Savior with those we come in contact with because we know what a friend we have in Jesus! ___ Jill Johnson finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Georgian. Jill is retired from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.   --- PULLQUOTES --- Quote: Time with God is the only way to hear what He has to say to me through His Word and to focus my thoughts on Him through prayer. --- PHOTOS --- File: 20230105-130542-Jill Johnson thumbnail.jpg Caption: Jill Johnson