The other day I realized I have been sleeping in. I love my life. It’s fairly quiet but full of love. Yet, I seem to be having trouble getting out of bed. I don’t have that “let’s get up and go!” feeling that I’ve had in the past. After speaking with Ryan, I gave myself some grace; it’s cold and dark here in Germany in October. We live much more by the weather here, with no AC or central heating, so it makes sense that come this time of year, things get quieter and slower and sleep becomes more of a priority. I’ve actually really enjoyed watching how my body naturally responds to the rhythms of nature.
However, even if I have a bit of an excuse for sleeping in, there’s going on that’s deeper than nature’s lulling. I have been lacking that inspiration that makes it so easy to get up and start the day. A typical morning has me up, drinking coffee, while praying and meditating over the daily Scripture as well as my spiritual reading books. I usually spend some time journaling to God as well. I love this quiet time, but it’s not calling to me with that same excitement it once did, knowing as I know that I can find other times of the day to settle into this time with God if need be, and no matter what time of morning I wake up, it’s usually before my kids by at least 30 minutes, so there’s not a pressure to rise early.
But, I am not accomplishing my vocation well when I sleep in. There are other goals to my morning: start laundry, pilates, shower, hair and makeup, make beds, tidy, vacuum and mop if time, have the freedom to chat with kids at leisure while accomplishing all of this, prepare for our homeschool day, and start our homeschool as scheduled.
So, with all of this said, I was talking with God and we decided that I would make a goal of writing each morning. Writing whatever was on my heart, whatever wanted to pour out from my soul. It doesn’t have to be pretty or fit the “readability” standards of my blog plugin. It’s just a time to let my heart go so that I can awaken my soul to what the day holds, to let creative juices flow, to let God’s natural gifts He has blessed me with come forth through my fingers and onto the page.
I have no idea if anyone will enjoy these ponderings. They’re not “teachy.” They’re just my thoughts, and I am no one compared with our beautiful Lord and all of the holy Saints.
That said, I’m sure I’ll be writing about books I’m reading, spiritual thoughts I had, and all of the rest. I could write 10 posts right now, just thinking through our last week and everything that’s happened. But, one of the virtues (I’m assuming it’s a virtue) I’m working on is steadfastness. Perseverance. Patience. I usually get so eager that I race and then crash. Slow and steady. Baby steps. That’s how I will walk this one.
As I wrap this up, this enjoyable little time with my keyboard, coffee, and pumpkin latte candle, I find my soul ready for whatever is next in the day. This process has awakened my mind, my heart, and my soul to the gift that is today. For we only have today, the Sacrament of the Present Moment as Fr. Caussade calls it.
I pray you have a blessed Saturday. Tell me: what activity would get you up each morning, eager to start a new day?
We’ve lived in Germany a sum total of five years. I love it! (Now back in Virginia.) Where are you located? Military?