What’s it like to take a DAWG day or a Day Alone With God?
In this post, I will talk about why it’s important to take a day away and how to do it. Later, I’ll share some recommendations on destinations for your day as well.
Why A Day Alone With God Is Important
A Day Alone With God is important for several reasons. Taking this day is important because it allows you to reset your focus, align your priorities with your values, and feel purposeful as you move into the coming months
I recommend a day like this at least once a quarter. I’ll share more about different lengths of time later in the post, but you don’t let, “I don’t have time.” be your excuse. If you schedule it, you can make time.
This time is extremely important to feel the spiritual connection with God. Taking time like this deepens our sense of purpose and is vital to our success. This is a way to connect the branches to the trunk, so to speak.
How To Have A Day Alone With God
In order to reserve a day along with God, you will need to do a few things. This may sound obvious, but you’ll need to schedule it in advance. Time gets the best of us.
Having a good intention to spend time alone with God is only half of it. We must follow through to reap the benefits.
Schedule this at least 90 days in advance. Put it on your family calendar. Take the day off from work. If you don’t schedule and honor it like a doctor’s appointment, you will let it slip.
And hey. You are a dependable person so you probably will affect the lives of your family, friends, and co-workers when you take this day off. Provide those affected with your absence with a palatable reason why you are heading off for time alone.
It’s not uncommon to get some strange looks. No need to go too deep. You can say something as simple as, “Once a quarter, I take some time alone to plan my next few months.”
Or you could go with, “Quarterly, I take intentional time away from others to regroup with God.”
Either way is fine. It’s really up to you.
Once you are wherever you decide on as your destination, spend a few minutes getting settled. Do some deep breathing. The kind where you breath in and your belly pokes out. Get calm.
Open your journal and write out what is on your mind. Ask God to open your mind and your heart to what you NEED to share with him.
What You Need
- Know what you want to accomplish – What do you need clarity around?
- An idea of how much time you have
- Journal to record your thoughts
- Water & snacks
- A daypack is helpful to store all your smaller items
- A coat if it’s cold and potentially a hat if it is sunny
Recommendations Based on Time
- Short term – (1-2 hrs) Try a local park, hiking trail, or even a city café. If you choose the city cafe, make sure it is not your local spot. It’s important that you not get distracted by people you know. In this case, strangers are good. 🙂
- Medium Term – (a half-day) Your best bet is something no more than 30 minutes from home. Although it’s important to get out of your local spot, with only half a day you don’t want to spend all of your time driving. Pick a neighboring town and find somewhere cool to spend your time. A used book store, a coffee house, a park, or some landmark. Make it fun when choosing.
- Long Term – (a full day) Make sure you pack a lunch if you’re going to be out in nature. An alternative is to choose a local restaurant in the place you travel to. For full day, travel to another city or nearby town. The interaction with locals not from your home town can provide some color to your day.
