Category Archives: Quiet time

Day of rest

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All day long.

Actually, we were up pretty early after Homecoming night to sell Christmas wreaths at church for the youth group after the 7:30 a.m. Mass.  After Mass, I covered for a friend at Middle School Youth  Group (marshmallows and middle schoolers….you know that’s going to be funny!).

We were all dragging though.  By the time we got home from youth groups, swimming and dropping off at cheer practice, there has been literally someone asleep or in some state of nap-rest for going on 6 hours now.  It’s been glorious!

I love when my people rest.  I love when I can sneak in a nap.  It happens far too infrequently, but today it did and I say, “GLORY to God!”

Naps rule forever!!

 

Weekends and bon-bons

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Hoping all the Mamas had a fabulous Mother’s day!!!

My weekend was a curiosity of lots of downtime and productivity.  I was without a car most of the day on Saturday at home so I was able to get lots of stuff done around the house (after I grocery shopped nice and early) and had a ridiculous amount of time to read and chill and THEN go to our supper club in the evening.  Nice.  But weird.  It’s hard to slow down, isn’t it???  I mean we are used to going all out, all the time and then when its not…..it’s hard to switch gears.

Mother’s Day was lovely.  Mass.  Sweet kids.  Helpful kids.  Free breakfast at church after Mass. Dinner was made for me by my guys AND cleaned up.   When I think about what a tough day it is for a lot of women, I know that I’ve got it good with no legitimate complaints.

On the flip side of the coin, I bought NO Mother’s Day cards this year.  My favorite Hallmark store closed and well….it’s just not the same.  So, my sister was in charge of flowers for Mom this year (she did a GREAT job!) and I hand delivered flowers to my Mother-in-law (since my Hubby had to work) and my grandmother and called my dad’s wife and my other grandmother…..which I am sure they appreciated more that a card, right?

Today, it’s back to reality…..Monday morning blues…..and looking forward to a 4 day work week because I TOOK FRIDAY OFF FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!!  AND SO DID MY HUBS.  AND THE KIDS ARE STILL IN SCHOOL!!!!!

Enough yelling.  Have a great day!!

Day 6. Martha. Mary.

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Adoration. Time to rest and recharge.

Adoration. Time to rest and recharge.

I’m Martha.  To the core.  Last Sunday’s reading reminded me to step back and work toward Mary’s take on life.  I get so caught up in what needs to be done:  the feeding, the cleaning, the laundry.  I don’t stop.  It’s time to stop.  Step back.  Take that deep breath.  Our pastor’s bulletin message on Sunday was so right on target with Martha and Mary and how busy our lives are.  That busy-ness leaves us all leaning toward living like Martha with no time to try Mary’s approach.  No wonder we are so tired.  We don’t stop.  We don’t seek.  We don’t rest.  Let’s rest.

Excerpts from our pastor’s bulletin message last week:

Rest is not just good for the soul. It is also good for the body. In our Christian tradition we
believe that the body is something of value. Genuine spirituality is concerned with the care of the
body as well as the soul. Rest is one way that we can accomplish this.
Medical science has demonstrated that the effects of rest are significant, indicating the great
role that rest can play in our physical and emotional well-being. Lack of rest and relaxation is
associated with inattentiveness, inability to concentrate, impulsivity, moodiness, learning difficulties
and health problems. On the other hand, rest, quiet time, and meditation have been shown to have
positive effects on the body. If you must have your blood pressure checked, take a couple deep
breaths first, think of a special place in the mountains or at the beach. Imagine yourself in the arms
of the Lord. These kinds of meditation may help you stay off blood pressure medication and
anti-stress pills.
St. Thomas Aquinas is known of the saint of moderation. He taught that all things in moderation can be good. A little wine, a little food, a bit of time of laughter, etc. are all needed in life. Only
when one or more of these things get out of balance is there sin. I hope that this summer provides
you an opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, maybe an outing to the beach or a taking in
a ballgame. But, may it also be a time to reorder priorities so that the important things don’t get
forgotten.

Hobbies

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How do you find time for hobbies?  Do you thing there are certain seasons in life for  hobbies?  Perhaps I’m just trying to fit a square peg in a round hole at this time in my life; I’m genuinely curious, though.  I want to know how in the heck people squeeze extracurriculars in.  Or are hobbies and extras the things that just add the extra craziness to our lives leaving us less time for quiet and contemplation? I have a few hobbies of my own and it is a constant struggle for balance, for instance:

I love photography, blogging and with a renewed interest in sewing there’s a whole lot to juggle.  Especially when my day goes like this (generally.  during the week.)

  • 5 a.m. wake up
  • 6 a.m. workout
  • 7-8:15 shower, dress, make lunches, breakfast, wake girls and out the door by 8:15
  • 8:30-5:30 work
  • 1-2 p.m. lunch, which is usually errands, read or Adoration if I am super lucky
  • 5:30 pick up girls
  • 6-7:30 Get dinner ready, wind down, miscellaneous stuff (fastest time of the day)
  • 7:30-9:30 kids showered, clean up and bed
  • 9:30 pass out and Repeat the next day

My blogging time generally comes in my morning quiet time, 15 minutes or so before and after the gym and on weekends.

My photos and editing are also on the weekends.

Sewing.  Weekends or maybe in between that dinner prep and serve time.

These are the things I enjoy doing; I can lose myself in them for hours (given the opportunity) and they bring me peace and satisfaction.  They also take me away from my family and doing the things that are necessary to keep my family healthy and happy.  It’s a balance.  Currently my approach is fit it in where I can and try not to sweat it. The days are gone where I’m willing to sacrifice sleep and I hung up my “supercape” long ago.

What about you?  So when do YOU fit in time for hobbies?  There is a time for everything, right?

Ecclesiastes 3 3:15

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every [a]event under heaven—

A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
 A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.

He has made everything [b]appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart,[c]yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; 13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is thegift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should [d]fear Him.15 That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.

5 Favorites of ADORATION

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Joining in with Hallie and the lovely ladies all sharing their 5 faves this week…for a smile on your face, for some “GO GOD” in your heart, you really neeeeeed to visit and start with Hallie, K?  K.

5 Favorites @ Moxie Wife

5 Favorites @ Moxie Wife

This week I was able to head over to Adoration during lunch and as always it’s truly my favorite lunch spot.  Ever.  Really.  Here’s why.

5.  Like most of y’all, I live a pretty busy life.  Husband.  4 kiddos.  Full time out of the house job.  Ever searching for the always elusive “perfect” balance between family and work.  Adoration IS as close to “perfect” as my life gets.  The profound sense of peace, joy and love when I walk through the door instantly soothes my heart and mind of whatever is jumbling it up at that moment.  Perfection.

4.   I may not ALWAYS  get immediate answers, direction and resolution of any given life challenge, however, I’ve received clarity, wisdom and peace over the years in answer to prayers during Adoration with much fruit in return.  Just ask my friend; one day I called her after Adoration and told her I felt their family was to home school.  She laughed. (nervously I think, since this was an announcement straight out of the blue).  They start their 3rd (?) year homeschooling this year.  Adoration don’t lie.

3.  I like to pray for people.  God hasn’t seen fit to fill our bank accounts to overflowingness (one can still hope though….) and I can’t always help people materialistically, however, I.  CAN.  PRAY.  Countless friends and family over the years have been the recipients of my prayers, some known, some unknown (but God ALWAYS knows), I’ve even prayed much for this sweet lady and her unborn baby.  You can’t underestimate the power of prayer.  Ever.  You might be too tired, angry, hopeless to pray, but I’ll pray for you.  I know I’ve been the recipient of a jillion and ten prayers and if my own give back even a tenth of intercessory love…I’m in.  Anytime.  Just say the word.

2.  This world is a wild and rocking and crazy constantly go-go-go world.  Sometimes I just need to be still.  I have my morning quiet time with the Daily Readings and that is phenomenal.  Coffee.  Word.  Start the day.  But sometimes….I just need to be still, quiet and listen and thank God for everything I don’t always remember to thank Him for.  Sometimes I just need to be still.  To listen if He wants to talk to me.  and one time ……..

1.  ONE TIME…….I’m telling you…….the monstrance and altar moved.  Throughout my time at Adoration.  I thought I was tired and cleared my eyes, but it kept happening.  Finally I just watched.  It was weird.  It was goosebump-giving.  It was mind blowing and heart filling.  Afterward I texted two friends who also attend Adoration and asked them a vague “have you ever had weird things happen at Adoration?” .  In the end, I’m not sure WHAT it meant, but perhaps He just wanted to say, “Hey, thanks for coming….check this out….I love you….I’m with you….come on back again, my love!”  And so I do.

Now head on over to Hallie’s for more fun things!!