Walking and Growing With God is Never Ending - Zara Anderton

October 2012

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Introduction by Colin

About nine years ago, some of our family shared the Quiet Times at the church the Andertons were attending. Jonathan and Jo began doing the QTs and subsequently did them with their children also. Three years later, the Anderton family began attending our group and have since become close friends. Jonathan and Jo wrote the January 2012 and February 2012 newsletters.

Zara's testimony is a great encouragement to our family. I especially love such statements from Zara as this: "I see more and more everyday how blessed I am to have a loving family. It is special when someone else has written me down as their blessing."

My Quiet Time experience/testimony

By Zara Anderton (age 14)

Well, where do I start? Mum said that I was about 6 years old when I started doing Walking With God Quiet Times (QTs) and I have been doing them ever since. My younger sister started at about two and a half. I think someone is never too young to learn about God. I remember hearing about a Dad who would read bible stories to his baby boy! I grow and walk with God and feel more refreshed every day when I do my QT. It seems that I have a better day when I do it in the morning. It's a good way to relax when I am feeling down or moody, etc... I know I can pick up and read what God told me that morning, specific to that day.

I have learnt so much in my QTs. They are a huge blessing to me and my walk with God. Sometimes I worry about things, but I learn in my Quiet Times that I don't need to because God is with me and in control. I now know many Bible verses that I keep on reminding myself of, especially when I worry. Then I am filled with peace from God. I find comfort in Philippians 4:6-7 every time I read it. It says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." God speaks to me in different ways. He points out different verses, and shows me what I need to be shown at the right time.

Sometimes I don't feel like doing my QT as I may be busy or have family or friends over, but I find taking that time to spend with God is good. I know I shouldn't make Quiet Times ritualistic and it is ok if I miss a day. Doing Quiet Times helps me stay focused on God and not get distracted by ungodly things.

The Pyles have been an enormous encouragement to us all (not just us, but others also). I thank God for planting the Quiet Time idea in their hearts and doing this wonderful work for God and others. Priscilla especially, has been an encouragement to me and she is a great friend and an amazing sister in Christ. She has helped, empathized with me, and given me some great words of encouragement and advice. We have some fun sharing times together. I thank the Lord for all the wonderful Christian friends I have! Sharing times are great as God can speak to me through other peoples' Quiet Times also.

It is a never-ending experience and God speaks to me in more ways than just through my QTs. I like music and writing songs, and doing QTs has helped me with that. It is like He is sitting with me, directly talking to me and giving me words for the songs.

When I was four, I could only hear 20% out of one of my ears but after prayer I was healed! What a miracle! My faith is growing and doing my Quiet Time helps me to grow more. Sometimes it seems hard to accept God's plans for my life, especially during hard times. Once I questioned, "Why ask God to increase my faith and trust? Wouldn't God just give me hard times?" I didn't want to go through difficulties. But I learnt that it is sometimes better to go through trials and grow in my faith and trust, than not grow at all.

An important part of my QT is writing blessings down as it helps me not to take life for granted and to be thankful for all I have. The Lord gives us life, and I have learnt not to want more, but to be content. I see more and more everyday how blessed I am to have a loving family. It is special when someone else has written me down for their blessing.

Remember walking and growing with God is NEVER-ENDING. Give him the glory as He gave me my life and these words. I encourage you to do the Walking With God QTs. It's worth it!!!

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