We don't know what the future holds

With shock I read about the death of Michael Dubriel Tuesday morning. I didn't know the man....in person nor through his books or articles.

I do "know" his wife, Amy Welborn. I've read her articles and blog for quite some time now.

It's amazing what comes over a person when you hear news like this. Grief for his family; shock at the suddenness of what happened. Thankgsiving for the life I have and those in my life. And realization that this could happen to ME at some point.

None of us know the hour when God will be calling us Home to Him. All we can do is live each day to it's fullest. Love those He places in our paths. And prepare to the best of our ability for that moment when He comes to wrap His arms around us and bring Him into His fullness.

This morning I came upon the last column that Michael Dubriel wrote on Monday evening less then 24 hours before he was called Home.

Please take some moments to read it and then some more moments to pray with his words.

It's unfortunate that I only came to know this man through his death. But I have every intention of ordering a few of his books and reading them.

Bit of an Ephiphany

I was reading Andrea's blog today where she posted her "25 Things About Me" list.

And I had an ephiphany when I read her #14.

I too am more of an introvert than extrovert. Very much so. I have no problem spending hours alone by myself praying; knitting; reading. After spending hours out "in public" whether it be working or shopping or whatever I NEED time alone to recharge my batteries so to say.

It isn't something that I've consciously chosen but it's part of me and I never really realized that that is one of my "legitimate needs" (according to the book The Seven Levels of Intimacy).

Some people I'm sure may think I'm being "rude" or "snobbish" but I'm not. Not at all. I like people. I like talking and being around people I know and love. But after awhile it drains me completly and I need solitude....to do something quiet in order to build back up.

This causes many times of unbelievable guilt inside of me. When I say "no" to doing something because I KNOW that if I say yes to another thing it will be "harmful" in a way to my mental state. I'm not saying crazy mental illness coming along but it would cause me to burn out.

And it makes it worse when people try to talk me into things or can't understand. I didn't make me this way. But that's the way I'm made. Some people thrive on being consantly busy on being with people all the time. That's wonderful. I don't to a point.

And it's time I stop feeling guilty. And stop allowing others to make me feel guilty. I'm not anyone else I'm Jen and Jen should know and DO what she knows is best for her.

Feast of the Presentation

It was three years ago that I came to truly appreciate the beauty of the special Feast day that the Church celebrates today.

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Baby Jesus in the Temple. When Our Lady and Saint Joseph brought the 40 day old Baby to the Temple to "present Him to the Lord".

Two years ago I wrote about what that aspect of today's Feast Day brought to my own prayer.

Today's Feast also goes by the name of Candlemas. And that is the aspect of the Feast that I am meditating on today.

Isn't it beautiful that our Faith is soooo rich that each feast day has so many details to meditate upon?

Today I've found myself meditating upon the Light. The Light of Christ. The Light that that beautiful Baby brought to the world. The Light that the Real Presence of Christ brings in the Eucharist. The Light of the candles that are lit.

I've been focused a lot on candles today. I love them! I love the flickering. The soothing calm that comes when I focus on the small flame.

I light my blessed candles when those I love are traveling in bad weather. I light them when I'm depressed or lonely. When I'm praying. When I need peace. When I feel joy.

The candle-light lifts my heart and mind to the true Light of the world, Christ Himself.

And for today's Feast that is what I am pondering. What it means that the Light of the world was brought as a small Baby to the Temple for all of us.

Deo Gratias!

Saintly Wisdom

"It is better not to burden ourselves with a multitude of prayers and pious practices but rather adopt only a few and perform them with love and perseverance in spite of opposition from the devil, the world, and the flesh."
St. Louis de Montfort

Sarah at Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering posted this quote as part of her 7 Quick Takes Friday.

This certainly was something that I really needed to hear....and from one of my favorite saints as well!!

I'm in the midst of praying over my Rule of Life. And I read. A lot. Especially from the lives of the saints and different books on prayer, etc.

I have a "problem" sometimes with wanting to pray EVERY prayer that is mentioned everywhere. And what then happens is I get overwhelmed, can't possibly fit all the prayers into every day, get frustrated and then give up. And then feel guilty for not saying EVERY one of the prayers that I WANT to pray.

And while praying over my Rule of Life I've been thinking of "adding into" my day more prayers. (I'm not talking about the spontaneous prayers that come forth while I'm working...I'm talking about the "formal" prayers and practices like St. Louis is talking about).

But thanks to the above quote I've put a halt on things.

I know without a doubt that I am being called to attend Adoration as often as I can; to pray the Liturgy of the Hours every day....at least Morning and Evening Prayer and the Office of Readings if possible (which most days it is possible....and on the days when it isn't that's because I've opted to do something else....something else that could be "put off" to pray) and the Rosary. And attend Daily Mass.

That's "it".

*Mass

*Liturgy of the Hours

*Adoration

*Rosary

Granted some days not all are accomplished but for the majority of days these 4 things are a huge part of my spiritual life. And it is these four things that carry me through my days. They help me focus on "today" more. And there are quite a few Mornings when I don't "feel like" getting up earlier (all of 15 minutes) in order to pray Morning Prayer well. But I do...get up anyways some days I'm not sure how well the prayers are prayed.

But I am persevering. If there are some days when I'd rather be doing anything else then pray....and yet I do pray....then I've accomplished something. And it's another dart into the opposition from "the devil, the world, and the flesh."

A Rule of Life

For years I've been fascinated by the Rules of various Religious Orders.

Last year I read A Mother's Rule of Life. I enjoyed it even though I'm not a mother.

I also read St. Benedict's Rule of Life last year.

And a few others that I can't think of off the top of my head.

Beginning to pray the Liturgy of the Hours last January is what got me started and finding out about some of these Rules. And I've been praying and pondering on coming up with my own Rule of Life. I'm not exactly sure what it will entail....espeically as a "Rule of Life" isn't a "Schedule of Life". I came across a post the other day on how to go about praying over and setting up a rule of life.

So I'm going to take the month that the author suggests (on the suggestions of his spiritual director). That's what I'll work on for February I think. Praying upon this as something to put in place in my life. I have a daily prayer routine but....I can become lazy a lot of days and "let" other outside things sneak in and disrupt that prayer at times. I want prayer to become part of my work....and not just the times I set aside quickly in the mornings and a bigger chunk of at night.

And I think that if I had a "Rule" to follow it would help me not become quite so "lazy" on the days when my normal structure is off a bit. Such as yesterday when there was a snow day. I had all that time to pray even MORE then I usually do. And yet....I barely got in the structured prayers that I almost always fit in when I'm busy.

So we'll see where I go from here. I'll use the above post as a somewhat guideline...at least as an example of how to go about setting up a Rule for myself. And I know that as the months and years go on and my life situation changes my "Rule" will also change. This will (I hope) help me adapt more to the changes that come with life while at the same time help keep that structure of prayer no matter the changes.

Back

It's been a long time since I posted here. And I've missed it.

I've been thinking a lot lately about why I blog. It's partly to be part of a wider community. Although I have to admit that I don't get much readership. And that's okay with me. One of the big reasons to blog is to "journal". To journal my thoughts I get as I read. As I come across websites. To help me sort out prayers and thoughts in my head.

So after much thinking and pondering I've decided to start back up again here at Daughter of the King. I can't guarentee that it will be every day but I'd like to shoot for at least once a week. And to try to blog again the books I read.

This year I've decided to read at least once a month a book written by one of the Doctors of the Church. I've already read Saint Theresa of Avila's "The Interior Castle" and loved it. So much food for thought and spirituality in there.

So that will be part of what I blog about. I also want to start blogging over here again as in some small way it helps my prayer life. I don't know how to explain it but it helps me grow in my spirituality in a way. More focused at times I think.

Plus this will help me with my sudden need to research and write more in depth. This will be my outlet. So if you are reading....please drop me a note every once in while so I feel like I'm not talking into a total void :-) Although I know God is listening.

So in the next few days I'll be cleaning the place up a bit and rearranging things. We'll see what direction I end up taking over here.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Head over to Peggy's to read everyone's daybooks!!

For Today~ July 2nd

Outside My Window... Sun behind thin clouds; it's going to be a humid day again

I am thinking... how I've been neglecting my poor blogs these past few weeks. I need some inspiration to start writing again.

I am thankful for... a month's vacation to do whatever I want whenever I want

From the kitchen... chocolate cup cakes

I am wearing... a black knee length skirt and a cool, flowy pink blouse

I am creating... a new ironing board cover

I am going... to clean out all the clutter that has overtaken this room!!!

I am reading... Come, Be My Light

I am hoping... To get out of this funk I've been in for a few weeks

I am hearing... The Shrek 2 soundtrack. I put on music to help me get motivated

Around the house... fold laundry; empty and re-fill dishwasher; clean!

One of my favorite things... summer afternoons of reading and sipping iced coffee

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: go to the beach; go to a 4th of July cookout; help my sister move; buy fabric for a new quilt; update blogs; relax

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

a robins nest in the front tree. I tried to get a picture the Momma going into it but she's too fast!