contemplative mothering series #1

I’m really excited to start this series of blogs.  This is a topic that has been on my heart lately, well actually, the contemplative life has been attractive to me ever since I learned what it was.  Some of you may be asking, “What is the contemplative life?” Allow me to sidestep my own meager understanding and ask the expert.

Here’s the dictionary’s answer:
contemplative |kənˈtemplətiv|adjectiveexpressing or involving prolonged thought : she regarded me with a contemplative eye.• involving or given to deep silent prayer or religious meditation :contemplative knowledge of God.nouna person whose life is devoted primarily to prayer, esp. in a monastery or convent.

The contemplative life involves such things as solitude, quietude, prayer, meditation, work and service and worship, all of this is done in order that the doer can better seek God.

Having always been attracted to this way of living, I am now finding myself desperate to bring elements of it into my daily life, as a mother and homemaker.  Raising my three children attachment-style is becoming increasingly challenging.  Every single day I find myself, my character tested.  I have been weighed and found wanting!  Not only my character, but my mind, my heart, my soul, my capabilities, everything Jennifer comes into question. What more can I give up to make peace?  What must I cling to for sanity? Where is God in all of this?  

Two years ago I read the book Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger and thus I was introduced to the Orthodox Christian tradition of the The Jesus Prayer.  Around the same time I began an intense struggle with anxiety and my dad advised me to pray The Jesus Prayer!  It was so coincidental that I could not imagine that God was not weaving this life-giving practice into the tapestry of my life (don’t you just live for that?).  My dad had picked up the prayer from a monk at a hermitage he visited on occasion.

Here’s how The Jesus Prayer goes, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”  And then repeat it as many times as you possibly can.  My dad gave the added suggestion of inhaling as your mind speaks the first portion of the phrase, then exhaling as your mind speaks the latter portion (it’s important that you speak it in your mind and not aloud while praying it with your breathing, otherwise . . .  Well, just try it and you’ll see why).  It can be quite calming.  So then, as you continue (and continue, and continue, ad infinitum) you are bound to be distracted, if not by outside forces, then by the ever more powerful inner forces.  As this occurs, allow the interruptions, but as soon as you recognize that is what they are, release them and return to the prayer.

The other day I decided to do this as I folded a ginormous pile of laundry.  It was as if I’d had a massage when I was done!  Well, not quite, but it was very calming and centering. So, I decided to do it again as I loaded the dishwasher (I’m an avid pre-rinser which offers me a little more time than a non-pre-rinser might spend).  After doing so I felt I was brought at least into alignment with my Lord (my goal is to get into His presence).  I had again luxuriated in the experience so much that the next morning I decided to say the prayer all through my shower.  

I will continue to pray The Jesus Prayer in my daily life, won’t you join me?

In each one of this series of blogs I will introduce a new spiritual practice, monastic idea, person, story, portion of scripture, meditation, or otherwise inspired something to help you find your way to seeking God in your home, while continuing to love and nurture your family and perform all of your household duties.  I doubt you’ll benefit from or enjoy this nearly as much as I, but I hope you will, nonetheless!