This morning I prepare to return home to the usual round of activities and hustle. I have newly dedicated myself to the discipline of prayer and writing and pray that I will stay obedient to this rededication. It is the only way I can see that I can be the kind of person, the kind of mother, the kind of teacher, colleague, and everyday community member I would like to be. And what I would like to be is consistently rooted in peace, in joy, in the life-giving source of the Hoy Spirit. But without constant recourse to prayer, without relentlessly prioritizing prayer and documenting the ups and downs of this life of "ora et labora"--as the Benedictines would say--I see no way to have this peace, joy, or life consistently.
For the first time this morning I not only prayed the Liturgy of the Hours by following the online readings at DivineOffice.org, I also listened to the full podcast. This is the closest I can come to the hours of prayer at the monastery. I anticipate I will do more of this, especially with Day Prayer which occurs in the middle of the day. That podcast is only about 10 minutes long and so very doable even in the midst of a busy day. I look forward to putting this into practice tomorrow in the midst of one of my busiest teaching days. I am grateful for the many resources for prayer and reflection. For now, I pray safe travel home to my husband and little ones. Amen.
