Summer is here, right? For those of us with children still at home, summer brings changes in schedules and routines. And for those of you whose children are grown, summertime might still bring differences to your normal day-to-day life.

As I look at some of the biggest challenges I face every summer (besides staying cool), one of the most consistent issues is maintaining a disciplined time of Bible study and prayer when our schedule can fluctuate greatly from day to day.

Over the years, I’ve learned there are a few ways I can set myself up for a successful quiet time, even during the chaos of summer. I thought I would share a few of those with you all as we enter into the season of vacations, camps and crazy.

The first way I create a good foundation for my quiet times in the summer is by choosing the right Bible study plan. Since my summer schedule seems to have much more variation than other times of the year, I usually avoid a major study during these months. Summer is a great time for me to review and reflect on what I’ve learned throughout the past year. I often read through studies I’ve already done, asking for new insight and understanding without the pressure of 45 minutes of daily homework.

The second suggestion for having a successful quiet time in the summer is remembering to stay connected with others. You might not be a part of a Bible study at your church, but be sure you are connecting with at least one other person to share what you’re learning. Maybe you and a friend will text every day about what you read in Proverbs, or perhaps you’ll join a group online for a study where you can share your own insights. Accountability is such a big part of maintaining a consistent quiet time, and this is especially so in the busy or chaotic seasons.

Finally, my last tip for being intentional about your quiet time in the summer is this: commit! Just like you write down the dates of vacation and the times of appointments, make a commitment to spend time in Bible study and prayer every day. It might not happen the same way or at the same time every day, but make it your determination to have a time of personal connection with the Lord every single day.

I love summer. I cherish the longer days and a little more space on the calendar for spontaneous trips for ice cream or grilling out with family. But if all I have when Labor Day rolls around is memories of fun times with friends and family, I will have missed out on the opportunity to grow in my relationship with the Lord. Let’s make this the summer we keep our spiritual lives as a priority.

I am kicking off a summer Bible study of James tomorrow, and I’d love for you to join me. Get more information on my website, terilynneunderwood.com, or by connecting with me on Facebook, facebook.com/terilynneublog.