Eugene Peterson points out that the Hebrew concept of a day actually begins with evening, not with morning as we are accustomed to thinking. This means that each day begins with the rhythm of evening sleep and rest before the daylight hours of work and activity.7 After we sleep, we awaken to find that God has been working while we have rested: maki

On my pilgrimage in Ireland, I was impressed to learn that if a monk was fasting and then received an unexpected visitor, he was to break his fast so he could enjoy food with his guest.

The rule of keeping a Sabbath frees me to spend time with family and not feel guilty that I am not working. On the flipside, I am committed to working when it is time to work without feeling guilty that I am not with my family. In a very practical way, this rule sets life-giving limits for me. A “monastic bell” enables us to establish our limits wi

We need not just rest but a certain quality of rest: deep inner rest, rest from the inner murmur that says we are defined by what we do, what we have, or by what others think of us.

We may also find that a practice once helpful in the past no longer seems fruitful. We might consider dropping the practice or trying something more challenging.

The path to greatness, whether pursued consciously or unconsciously, is one that requires a rhythm of disciplined practice.

Every evening I try to set aside five or ten minutes to pray what Saint Ignatius called the prayer of Examen. After putting our toddler down, I lie on the futon next to his bed, quiet my thoughts, and hit the “play” button on the video of my day. I think about the people with whom I’ve spent time, the conversations I’ve had, the places I’ve been, a

Daniel centers his life on God and receives the animating presence of the Spirit, who energizes him to live faithfully for God in the world.

If something comes up and we cannot keep our rule for a period of time, there’s no need to fret or be anxious. We need a rule that bends. We don’t exist for the rule. The rule exists for us.