OK, question number 1

As I said, I'm going through A Mother's Rule of Life (again) to try to get our day organized. What worked in years past no longer works now, so I'm having to rethink everything all over again. I have to take into account a new baby, my night-owl tendencies, and the increased workload for homeschooling (the older kids are having to do much more, AND I'm adding more children that I have to teach each year).

With that in mind, I am asking myself the first question:

What do I think is necessary to live a faith-filled life?

What sorts of daily practices should be included?

I would have to put Scripture reading right up there at the top. Being a good former Navigator, I "function better," for lack of a better term, when I'm reading a book through from beginning to end, taking notes as I go along, and writing my thoughts down in a journal. That was the pattern I learned in college, and it has suited me well all these years since.

But then I think, "What about the daily Mass readings?" There's something to be said for reading along with the rest of the Church, but the "jumping around" bothers me and messes with my chi. (that's a joke, by the way). Trying to do both is a bit much for me right now, so I'm not sure where to go.

However, I'm a big reader, so spiritual reading in general is high on the list. I usually have books in every room of the house that I'm reading, including The Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales on my iPhone (gotta love iPieta!).

Daily examination of conscience is another good one, but truthfully, by the time I get Joseph down (and I'm usually holding him... like I said, he's a high-maintenance baby), I'm not in a very prayerful mood. Chalk it up to immaturity or a lack of "dying to self," but at that moment the last thing I want is another responsibility staring me in the face. So I tend to save it for when I climb into bed, but you know how that works, don't you? Yeah, I usually get a general sense of "wow, I really blew it today," and then fall asleep before any real progress is made.

There's also weekly Rosary with our homeschooling group, weekly Mass (I truly wish I could go more often. My heart is calling, but right now I don't see how that would be possible), and quarterly confession.

I wish I could say that we say the Angelus at noon, or pray the Divine Mercy chaplet at 3:00 pm, or do a family Rosary/devotion time, but we don't. We pray at night as a family, but it's a pretty quick affair.

Not only to I have to think about what *I* need to be doing, but I'm also supposed to think about the spiritual lives of my kids, and help them develop good habits that they will carry all through life. I want them to be reading the Bible daily, for example, but where am I supposed to schedule that? Jesus is going to have to show me the answer to that one... and all these other questions...

But it would be helpful for me if any of you would be willing to share what practices YOU have found to be most beneficial. What do you do on a daily (or almost daily) basis?

If you're willing to share, leave a comment!