Summer

School is done for this year at our house.  The pool is open, the garden is planted...almost.  The children are sleeping in and I have time again, at least for a while.  This is the time of year when I replenish.  I clean out closets, plan next years school lessons for the children, spend hours in the garden AND begin to pray again.  I began trying to pray Matins and Vespers daily about eight years or so ago when I became a secular Carmelite.  As my family dynamics changes, so does my allotted time alone for prayer...I am not too diligent, I'm afraid.  Yet, when I DO pray diligently, my soul is SO very nourished and refreshed.   It truly is amazing.

This morning I began to pray Matins again outside in the quiet of the early hours between when my husband leaves for work and my children get up for the day.  It's wonderful...just me and God...and the neighbor's cat ( she prays too).  When the usual frantic pace of the day has me scurrying with lessons, baseball practice, driving here and there, it is absolutely heavenly to be still and know that He is God for 30 minutes every morning. It sets the pace for the day and I can handle it, whatever it may be.  I think I'll try to make this a daily routine once again.  I do love summer.  

               God of our fathers, we praise you, we glorify you, we bless you, we thank you for you have    made the shadow of the night pass and have shown us again the light of day.  We beg you in your goodness and in your great mercy, cleanse our sins and hear our prayer, for we take refuge in you O merciful and all powerful God.  Make the true Sun of righteousness shine in our hearts, enlighten our minds and watch over all our senses, that we may live decently, like people of the daytime, so that walking in your commandments, we may come to eternal life and we may be made worthy of the enjoyment of your light beyond reach, for you are the source of life.  For you are a God of mercy and kindness and love and we glorify you, now and ever and forever.  Amen.   

                                                          ~Eleventh Prayer (dismissal), Common off the Office of Matins