Yesterday evening, we have a discussion on problems with falling asleep. There were many suggestions given by the other ladies like not drinking coffee in the evening, not keeping too much worries, no napping, drink a glass of milk with cookies and setting a routine.
Well, me being me, blurted out - Oh, when I have problems sleeping, I usually read the Bible (which is on my bedside) and I definitely will fall asleep. Or I will pray the Rosary and before I finish a decade, I will be asleep.
Bwahahaha…..I said it with so much excitement, sincerity and truth, they were speechless. Doh…I forget that I am talking with a group of very pious and very disciplined Catholic women. They have routines set down for prayer time, prayer room and prayers to recite.
Now, should I be worried that I have no prayer room, no allocated time for prayers and no fixed words to pray? If I have a list of prayer requests, I usually forget every details. I will either pray on the spot, if something really demands it. Like when I see an accident or something, I will immediately say a prayer for the injured. Otherwise, for those other type of prayer requests, I will tell Jesus to help them and I believe He will without me giving Him all the minute details like who and whose cousin are sick with which type of illness and warded at which hospital in which state.
Never mind…probably when I am 60, I will be more discipline. Right now, I am only 6 years old Catholic, ok?
July 12th, 2008 at 11:21 am
No wonder they were shocked. I thought reading the Bible was to get closer to God and not as a way to help people sleep. To help clear the guilt, perhaps?
July 12th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Hi,
It’s so so so like you, Lilian!!!
I’m totally impressed with ur frankness and sincerity!
No need 2 be Holy Moly with Lilian!
Bible is ‘ahem, ahem’ very boring and with all the small printed words and no pictures, sleepy…but it can be a really nice bedtime story book! Nothing to be ashamed of using the bible 2 get asleep, but of course i know u do attend bible class and read the bible…haha
Rosary also nice 2 help with getting asleep, if praying alone…repeating the same Hail Mary, Our Father and Glory Be…haha, when u r tired, of course will get sleepy one!
But for me, i’m not the kind of Catholic that prays routinely also. i don’t really read bible nowadays, no rosary, jus Sunday Mass goer…but i keep in my heart, when i pray, no specific words, jus spontaneous words, especially blessings, for others and myself. I do think it is more close and personal with God when pray like this. It doesn’t have boundaries and limitation when I chat with God; thus I can hear God much much better this way, not drowning myself with chanting and more chanting of prayers. I find God really hear of my rantings and prayer and also His respond to me.
As for reading Bible, i do think it needs the calling from God. When I was younger, I’ve read from Genesis to Jeremiah, and the four Gospels + the Acts, and Revelations. Then I’ve stopped reading, dunno why, maybe I’ve not yet the need to read yet, but I promise myself to finish reading the bible one day! haha!
Don’t let others dictate what you should do or not do, God knows the best what works for you and let Him be your guide!
Have a blessed weekends!
July 14th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
HI Lillian
Don’t worry about what others think. Just be yourself, that is what God wants from us. I find the Bible boring too but after attending a few classes to understand the meaning, it is much better now. But truth be told, I do not read it often, in fact I never pick up my bible now.
I used to say the rosary at night, but that has stopped too.
I have become a mother of three and I have become a sunday Catholic.
But I get very inspired by your faith journey and your life.
You have time to do so much and you are a mother of 4 boys. Wow!!
Thank you Lord for leading me to your websites.
You have shown to me that God is always there, no matter how busy we are. Thanks!
God bless you and your family!
July 16th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
angie - Thanks for sharing. I suppose all of us go through these phases of being close to God and then, striking out on our own and come back to Him.
doreen - Your encouraging words is very uplifting. Thanks.
josette - Normally, I have my routine but usually, I read more when I am troubled.