Back in Black, or Burning Up

Although, I suppose, it would be better to be back in red, white, and blue?

Ah well.

The blogging break during Fortnight for Freedom was refreshing and spirtually fruitful, I think. Namely, taking a break from blogging has helped me to get my prayer life out of the crapper, where it had been for quite some time.

Have you ever noticed that when you gradually stop praying, you generally start feeling more restless and dissatisfied in proportion to how little you are praying? It happens to me all the time, yet it takes the spiritual equivalent of a 2×4 to make me realize that I need to get my butt back to prayer asap.

The last two weeks were an opportunity to do just that. I decided to start small, because my grand attemps at prayer time (which nearly always involve a new book, a notebook, or a series of highlighting pens) inevitably dissolve when I fail to do it perfectly even one time. Any other lazy perfectionists in the house?

I decided to also leave aside my usual prayers (the rosary, and written prayer books) for now and focus on Scripture. When I have spiritual dry spells, I find that Scripture is very nourshing for me. So I am reading from the Gospel of John for ten minutes or so every morning while I drink my coffee. Oh my goodness, I had forgotten how much I just love John’s Gospel. Whereas the other three read more like a newspaper, telling the events in a very basic way, gospel of John reads more like beautifully written prose. It’s beautiful and very poetic to read.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  -John 1:4-5

I mean, how do you read that and not feel calm and refreshed?

What has been going on the past two weeks for all of you? I’d love to know, I have missed you!

Other than trying to pray every day (and being mostly successful), we have been suffering with enjoying some 100+ degree heat for the last week. I am so very grateful to have working air conditioning and a YMCA pool membership. We spent a large chunk of the holiday at the pool, splashing with Miss Maggie who has no fear when it comes to the water.

I have some posts in the works, including a book review, my thoughts on starting preschool, and a few guests posts that will make you smile (I hope!).

Keep your eyes peeled and stay cool out there.