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praying and working

my bulletin board

My desk is a jumbled mess. I have stacks, and piles, and groups of folders that probably belong in a filing cabinet but will never make it to a file drawer. If I’m feeling generous, I’ll tack it onto my bulletin board.

Despite this haphazard appearance, there’s a semblance of organization. There’s order in the disorder.

I like it. I’m comfortable with it and any attempt to change is not only short-lived but difficult.

Believe me, I’ve wanted to have labels and colored file folders. Beautiful day planners remain unfilled. Bullet journals overwhelm me. I’m sure there’s an app designed just for me, but I can’t keep up with where I left my phone.

In short, I’m messy when it comes to my workflow even though I get stuff done. I’ve noticed this has bled over into some of my spiritual practices as well.

I used to have a constant discipline in my prayer life.

I got up early and read scripture and did a little journaling. I had certain devotions that I prayed at certain times. There was a time and place for everything, and everything had a place and time.

Now my spiritual life looks like my desk. I suppose everything is still there, but the regimented system is gone. I still read, and write, and pray but it seems a little more fluid these days.

Organized-me wants to correct this mess but there’s order in that chaos, and in this season of my prayer life, I am embracing it.

Ora et Labora

I enjoyed an excellent season of Benedictine order – of praying and working, Ora et Labora – no doubt due to living so close to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. I learned the beauty of the Divine Office.

These days, however, I am drawn to mental prayer inspired by St. Teresa of Avila who advocated friendship with Jesus. I find myself talking in prayer while I drive, do the dishes, fold clothes.

Staring at an empty screen when I should be writing.

Eucharistic Adoration.

Committing to a weekly Holy Hour has changed my prayer to a conversation with the Lord. I am endeavoring to live in thanksgiving, which often means small, but I hope, earnest declarations of praise and thanksgiving as my day unfolds.

Perhaps I’ll return to the Divine Office or end up with a combination, but for now, in this new season of prayer, I am finding great joy in these aspirations that come to me as naturally as inhaling and exhaling.

How do you pray?

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Review: You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)

Read it!

I’ve been a fan of Felicia Day for many years. I’m a fan of sci-fi and quirky stories, and loved loved LOVED Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog which featured Day. I’m also a huge fan of Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, Simon Helberg, and of course, Joss Whedon. I remember how exciting it was to be waiting for the release of the next episodes when the musical debuted. It was geek heaven.

Let me stop for a second so I can have my fangirl moment.

Ok, well. Then life got a little complicated after that and I moved on to some writing projects that consumed me for a while and then a major move to another city, and I became a little disconnected from tv and streaming anything other than Stranger Things and The Crown.

I wasn’t reading my usual sci-fi and spy books, either. This past year has been an exercise in building up my reading again. I used to read a couple of books a week. I’ve gotten back to reading at least one a week now. I discovered You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by accident. I was scrolling through recommendations on a new Kindle, and got it immediately and then read it in a couple of days. I wanted to savor it, but no. I pretty much read through that first night, and knocked it out the next day. The book was published in 2015, and I regret not having seen it until now.

I don’t know what I was expecting…a funny recap of Day’s creative endeavors? Well yeah. There’s a lot of that, but there’s so much more about creativity, anxiety about creativity, work, and a host of inspiration and encouragement to create boldly and with confidence.

You don’t have to be internet savvy to appreciate this book. I can function online because I was around in those early days of Prodigy, and while I didn’t play World of Warcraft, I did play through the whole King’s Quest series and a couple of rounds of Diablo. The gaming was interesting. The internet series fun. But the real takeaway here is Felicia Day’s earnestness in telling her story, and how that informs her advice to be yourself, and embrace the things that make you special and valued. She celebrates everyone’s uniqueness and worth.

I feel ready to pursue new creative projects after reading this, and can’t wait for the release of her next book, Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity available next week!

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Review: Becoming Women of the Word

I attend a women’s bible study and prayer group called Daughters of Mary. I have no doubt the Blessed Mother led me to this group of diverse and interesting women. Prayerful women. Courageous women. Ordinary women who are each uniquely extraordinary. There couldn’t be a better name for this group; we are, after all, certainly daughters of Mary. My favorite part of these meetings is the commentary at the end, when we really get to know each other’s hearts as we share our thoughts with the group.

We delve deeply into the Gospels, but we also spend a great deal of time learning about the history and culture of the Jewish people in biblical times. Our weekly meetings have whet my appetite for learning more about the Old Testament. Enter Sarah Christmyer’s wonderful book, Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God’s Call with Purpose and Joy.

This is the perfect book to complement my studies. I’ve found encouragement and inspiration in these pages, not just through the history and scriptural references, but through Christmyer’s insight, and her personal touch that weaves her stories with the amazing women highlighted. It is truly a pilgrimage through the Old Testament.

What I like most about this book is that it is relatable. Although I’m separated from the women by thousands of years, they are approachable. While the culture and history are a far cry from what I experience in the 21st century, their fears, set-backs, failings, as well as strength, victories and faith are the same. I am encouraged to live my life as these women did: with purpose and joy!

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