Day 259: Morning Prayer

Our little bedroom oratory. Yes, I proudly put terrible quality photos online because
a) I've never claimed to be a photographer and b) the baby is up early from nap.

A few weeks ago, I bought Christian Prayer from my (formerly) local Catholic bookstore. With texted advice from friends, the iBreviary app, and some random blog posts, I jumped into it. My husband and I had been throwing around the idea of doing the church's morning prayer together before he leaves for work. Which is usually while I'm still sleeping. I know, bold.

I thought it would be good for me to "learn" it before we started praying it together, because it involves flipping to different parts of the book, and learning a format that is unfamiliar to both of us. I've been trying to do it during weekdays the last couple of weeks and we just started trying it together.

The one reflection I can share on it so far is that it has been an exercise in unconditional love. Or at least in understanding that I am unconditionally loved by the Father.

I sometimes imagine Him watching me with my lap full of resources, double checking the app on my phone to make sure I used the right antiphon or switched to the correct day. It reminded me of the way I laugh when my preschooler mixes up similar words, or when my toddler tries to make his body move in a way I take for granted. We chuckle a little and think, "Oh, how cute!" On a good day, I appreciate the efforts the kids are making and recognize how much they are learning.

On days when I muddle through the page flipping, or switch the invitiatory and the canticle, I just picture God looking down on me and appreciating my efforts, appreciating the time I'm giving to him, no matter how little and awkward it might be.

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