Getting My Religion On At Walmart

I discovered a couple of things about working chaotic hours at Walmart.  First, that chaotic hours are no fun!  Especially when you work late and have to be up early the next morning.  Second, that I have a lot more prayer time than I did before.  Strange, I know.

In an office setting you make friends and get distracted by idle chatter, lunch dates, etc.  At Walmart my schedule is unique and rarely do I have a break with someone I know.  Thanks to the Divine Office app on my phone I can say morning or evening prayer while on break.  My phone also allows me to read electronic books, so instead of watching whatever mindless program is on the TV I open one of my many books.  Right now I am about half way through Welcome to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites by Aloysius Deeney, OCD.

The book is a compilation of speeches given by Aloysius Deeney on the Vocation of OCDS.  As an Aspirant  I am required to read the first speech on discernment.  The others are for my own personal reading.

   

It's Official

As of last Saturday I am officially an Aspirant.  Being a person who jumps into just about everything with both feet, it's a little scary.  As a visitor I could be part of the group without the commitment.  Now that I'm officially a part of the group I worry that I'm just not worthy of being part of the group.  It isn't so much failing to meet the expectations of the OCDS, but rather failing to meet God's standards.  Am I strong enough and dedicated enough to fulfill the mission that he gave me?  I hope the saying is true that God doesn't give you more than you can handle because right now it feels like what I'm being given is too much for me.

Dear Lord,
I trust in you to lead me where you want me to go.
I trust in you to help me shoulder my burdens.
I trust in you to give me strength to handle what comes my way.


Dear Lord, 
I trust in you.


Amen.

More Challenges

I finally found a job, although it's only part-time and my schedule is all over the place.  It makes it difficult to keep to a consistent schedule of prayer.  Who ever said it would be difficult following Jesus was not kidding.  This world offers so many obligations and distractions that can get in the way of doing what God wants.  I just have to find a way to mesh all of what and need to do with my obligations to God.  Where before I had challenges with fitting in meditation, I now have challenges with completing the hours.  Some days I work during the day and other times I work in the evenings.  Until I find a normal Monday through Friday job, I will have to work around the challenges.  I may have to find a quiet spot at work and say the hours on my break as close to the normal time for morning and evening prayers as I can manage.  On the bright side no matter when I say morning and evening prayers there will be someone somewhere in the world saying them with me.