Lately, I started the practice of praying with the Liturgy of the Hours. I am most consistent with the Morning Prayers since the rhythm of my life is now such that mornings are quiet once the children are off to school. In fact, (and don’t hate me, mothers of young ones) I don’t even drive them anymore. By 7:15 the house is still and quiet.
To be honest, it’s been a huge adjustment for me, this new season. It’s been a steady progression of needs changing, chaos being replaced with quiet, and the Lord calling me to more stillness, more silence. There were certainly many long seasons where quiet prayer was not possible. Years where my prayer life consisted of rushed morning offerings while babies lived inside of me and on me, and needs overwhelmed me. Years where my best days of prayer consisted of talking to God throughout my day, invoking his strength, patience, and love, and pointing my heart, with gratitude, toward heaven. I try to still engage in all those habits. After all, St. Paul tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Th 5:17), but this new season has reminded me how beautiful, crucial, and encouraging the Word of God is in our lives.
If you aren’t familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours, one prays with Scripture, particularly the Psalms. I have found such hope, joy, and necessary perspective by starting my day being reminded of who God is, and hearing the honest laments of the Psalmist crying out about injustice and a world that hates him for loving what is true. Sound familiar? We live in a world hostile to our very existence. We are raising our children in a world whose future seems more grim everyday, and yet, again and again in Scripture, we are told not to lose hope. We are told to rejoice!
Each of today’s readings call us to higher thinking, to eternal perspective and to detachment from the world. In the book of Wisdom, we are reminded that the spirit of wisdom is the most valuable thing we can possess—above riches, power, and beauty, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. Then, the Psalmist reminds us to call on the Lord as our source of love, hope and joy. His request of God? Prosper the work of our hands! (Ps 90:17). Isn’t that the desire of our hearts as mothers, that the Lord will take the work of our hands—the daily menial tasks as well as the huge worries and our often endless tasks—that he will allow our children to walk in wisdom, and allow us all to prosper in heaven?
Then, in Hebrews, we are reminded that the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. The word of God is our path to wisdom, our path to joy. The burdens of this world are many and varied, and the burdens of motherhood can often feel overwhelming, but we do not find our joy and peace in this world and neither will our children.
May we rest in the truth of who God is. May we seek and long for wisdom above all things, and may we rejoice in the promises of Christ to save us from sin and death. You are doing a beautiful work, dear mothers. May you always point your children toward Christ and let him do the rest.