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Godlovestrength
Guest
It doesn’t matter if it is all or a little, good one Barb.
Very well explained don’t you think? In my present job I have much time for contemplating and I find that in that time there is so much prayer I have never mentioned, come to my spirit, heart, and it is so good. I find I’m going into litergies that are so very long and as they come out of my mouth quietly or loudly they are as though it is the spirit praying, rejoicing and not I. I find that I listen at times to the prayers as they come out.
I agree Barb thanks
Godbless
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BarbaraTherese
Guest
Happy to read that prayer is something that you find very meaningful in your life.
Yes, I thought it was a well thought out and written article. Father Ron does write some great articles. I feel though it is sad that we do insist on looking to the monastic to guide in the formation of a lay spirituality…there is a real need for a spirituality that will speak specifically to lay people and the circumstances of a life lived in the world - now and then attempts do crop up and this is hopeful for the future. The best we have at the moment I think is probably St. Francis de Sales and “Introduction to The Devout Life” written specifically for a lay person.
Thank you for sharing your journey in this thread…Blessings - Barb
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Godlovestrength
Guest
Hi Barb I just want to emphasize these points you have brought forward and that stand out for me.
As you will see, I have cut some points out that make the first point you relate to more dominent.
Contemplativeness and openness to the presence of God are of being unselfish and beyond self-preoccupation. Contemplativeness is self-forgetfulness.
You know me from time ago as “little one”.
Our Good Lord has been doing some mighty re-aranging and changing of my self to fit how He wishes me to be and these points you relate to are just them, (thank you).
The work I was doing 2 years ago, put me in a time of being alone away from the world. It has been a time where I have been very aware of God’s presence, so much so that I have been left in tears. Where His presence has shaddowed my humanness by His loving me in such a way that bringing me to tears and if I were to see others He would tell me He didn’t want me to leave He was loving me without interfearance
.
This has been the place where I would just open up to Jesus the Holy Spirit and our Father and tell them, plead with them, employ them to do with me exactly what they wish to do for their own desire.
In the last 6 months however, there has been a change of place and pace, where I have been put with people who would chastise me straight out, put me down, especially in fromt of others, and this has brought me straight to challenge my humanness, “How did Jesus relate to such people,” How did Therese? It has been just what you have writen above. (Contemplativeness is self-forgetfulness).
Silence and the desert can help us to forget ourselves, but so too can duty, the demands of family, parenting, job, and vocation. Indeed, the normal road to sanctity (which is unselfishness and gratitude) leads through family, job, unpaid bills, and duty, rather than through a monastery.
The next point.
There is so much joy in the desert when one knows and accepts what God is doing, regardless of what it is and how furiour the pace may be, or, we contemplate on God.
Two weeks ago I had some real deep thoughts come onto my mind and I knew that they were not from me. The point though was that right away the Spirit took over and started praising God until the doubting thoughts left. Later by about 5 hours, I had the same thoughts come onto my mind again, and this time I was left to battle by myself. So straight into praising God and although it was not as strong as before I got there. I kept the contemplation on God.
*** Monasteries are special places and the monastic vocation is a special calling, not the norm or ideal for everyone… ***
Once again,
A week ago I asked God if I could have a job where I could glorify Him how He would want. The very next day I was asked if I would like a job doing less hours but more money. The point here also is that other things are happening in line with the new job.
1 I go off the long 12 hour days to a steady 8 hour, finishing at 4pm
2 Our priest has accepted the draught of getting a Carmelite group going, in which I would need steady work time, so I can be there to lead should this be the need.
3 the haviing to work 56 hours per week to get enough money to survive is changed with the job I’ve been offered being 40 hours and $2 more per hour which ballences the money.
So in all it shows how contemplation is a desire by God to “be still and know that God is God”.
Have faith even in the darkest nights, when God allows you to be tested know that He will not give you any more than you can take, He has gone before you to prepare the way, and He is there is ou want to speak to Him.
Well God bless Barb,
As you will see, I have cut some points out that make the first point you relate to more dominent.
Contemplativeness and openness to the presence of God are of being unselfish and beyond self-preoccupation. Contemplativeness is self-forgetfulness.
You know me from time ago as “little one”.
Our Good Lord has been doing some mighty re-aranging and changing of my self to fit how He wishes me to be and these points you relate to are just them, (thank you).
The work I was doing 2 years ago, put me in a time of being alone away from the world. It has been a time where I have been very aware of God’s presence, so much so that I have been left in tears. Where His presence has shaddowed my humanness by His loving me in such a way that bringing me to tears and if I were to see others He would tell me He didn’t want me to leave He was loving me without interfearance
.
This has been the place where I would just open up to Jesus the Holy Spirit and our Father and tell them, plead with them, employ them to do with me exactly what they wish to do for their own desire.
In the last 6 months however, there has been a change of place and pace, where I have been put with people who would chastise me straight out, put me down, especially in fromt of others, and this has brought me straight to challenge my humanness, “How did Jesus relate to such people,” How did Therese? It has been just what you have writen above. (Contemplativeness is self-forgetfulness).
Silence and the desert can help us to forget ourselves, but so too can duty, the demands of family, parenting, job, and vocation. Indeed, the normal road to sanctity (which is unselfishness and gratitude) leads through family, job, unpaid bills, and duty, rather than through a monastery.
The next point.
There is so much joy in the desert when one knows and accepts what God is doing, regardless of what it is and how furiour the pace may be, or, we contemplate on God.
Two weeks ago I had some real deep thoughts come onto my mind and I knew that they were not from me. The point though was that right away the Spirit took over and started praising God until the doubting thoughts left. Later by about 5 hours, I had the same thoughts come onto my mind again, and this time I was left to battle by myself. So straight into praising God and although it was not as strong as before I got there. I kept the contemplation on God.
*** Monasteries are special places and the monastic vocation is a special calling, not the norm or ideal for everyone… ***
Once again,
A week ago I asked God if I could have a job where I could glorify Him how He would want. The very next day I was asked if I would like a job doing less hours but more money. The point here also is that other things are happening in line with the new job.
1 I go off the long 12 hour days to a steady 8 hour, finishing at 4pm
2 Our priest has accepted the draught of getting a Carmelite group going, in which I would need steady work time, so I can be there to lead should this be the need.
3 the haviing to work 56 hours per week to get enough money to survive is changed with the job I’ve been offered being 40 hours and $2 more per hour which ballences the money.
So in all it shows how contemplation is a desire by God to “be still and know that God is God”.
Have faith even in the darkest nights, when God allows you to be tested know that He will not give you any more than you can take, He has gone before you to prepare the way, and He is there is ou want to speak to Him.
Well God bless Barb,
B
BarbaraTherese
Guest
Thank you very much for sharing all this. Praise God!
Blessings…Barb
Blessings…Barb
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