During our last Sojourners weekend at the Mountain, we were discussing how busy our lives are and how it can be challenging to find some quiet time to center on God, even for a short while. I had shared with the group that my youngest daughter Brigid inquired when Lent began if we could read the daily gospel together.
As you can imagine I was very moved that she had asked to do that. While we haven’t been able to do it each night, we have taken about 10 minutes in the evening when we can to read the Holy Word, and share with each other what the message means to us. I hope we will continue to find time to do this beyond what has been a very special Lenten season in my home.
In the same spirit which we share and feed one another in the Mountain Chapel it was suggested that we offer this as a topic to discuss and share on line. How do you find time in this always-on-the-run life of ours to feed your soul? Please share your thoughts below.
God’s Peace,
Mike F.
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3 comments:
Dear Mike,
Thanks for your reflection. Brigid is an angel for all of us.
Here in our home, we pray together before meals, a time in which we keep those in need in our prayers. We also thank God for the blessings of the day. Each of our kids takes a turn and they share some funny and heart-warming prayer with my wife and I.
I also like to keep a "gratitude list" -- writing down all the things I'm grateful for, sometimes, first thing in the morning, which helps me focus on all the things I have, rather than on what I believe might be missing in my life.
Recently, I visited the son of a friend, who unexpectedly lay in an ICU on all kinds of life support. I asked my friend Nick, whom I knew was spiritual, whether he would like to pray together over his son, and we did.
At that moment, I knew my friend was close to God as he placed his only son Nathan's life in God's hands. Witnessing Nick's faith, I believe, was also a form of prayer and I'm glad I asked.
Being a part of the Sojourners gave me the confidence to do this. Nathan's health is improving and I ask all who may read this to kindly keep Nathan (age 15) in your prayers. Thanks.
And much peace,
Mike C.
Finding time sure isn't easy sometimes, though I blame myself for not finding enough time to pray/reflect in some way. We're given so much in life and I should be more grateful and talk to God about my hopes, dreams and fears.
That said, I've found one practical way to integrate some sort of prayer into my daily routine -- through my iPod. I have a bunch of religious songs sprinkled in with contemporary rock and other kinds of music so that when the prayerful songs play, I'm reminded of God's love, whether I'm in the middle of working on something at my desk or on the way home commuting or going for a run.
Some great thoughts which I really appreciate. Our children are very young but at dinner we say a prayer and talk about something we should be thankful for and someone we want to pray for. Recently we have been reading a few short prayer from a children's prayer book before they go to bed. I need to put more time away for praying and it will probably have to be late in the evening.
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