What shall I render to the Lord, for all his bounty to me?
Today is an off day.
Isaac awoke early and we let him roam around the house and backyard while we slept in until 10am. From about 9am until 10am, Samuel was intermittently awake and crying, so it wasn't as if it was quality sleep.
When Isaac came into our room after we got out of bed, he reported that he had gotten naked and buried himself in the sandbox while we'd slept.
"I love the feeling of sand on my penis."
Um....
I made a breakfast/lunch of migas, but burned some of my tortillas because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.
I should be working on writing a couple of email campaigns for a client, but have no motivation to do so. The deadline is weeks away. But, the sooner I finish them, the sooner I get paid. And, who doesn't need money?
The good news is that we said our morning prayers as a family. That's always encouraging. I believe anyone who can pray the following two prayers with earnestness and sincerity of heart will experience true sanctity in this life:
Prayer of the Optina Elders
O Lord, grant us to greet the coming day in peace. Help us in all things to rely upon Thy holy will. In every hour of the day, reveal Thy will to us. Bless our dealings with all who surround us. Teach us to treat all that comes to us throughout the day with peace of soul and with the firm conviction that Thy will governs all. In all our deeds and words, guide our thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let us not forget that all are sent by You. Teach us to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others so that we may bring confusion and sorrow to none. Give us strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct our wills. Teach us to pray, to forgive, to hope, to suffer, and to love, and do Thou, Thyself, pray in us. Amen.
Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ
O my plenteously merciful and all-merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, through Thy great love Thou didst come down and become incarnate so that Thou mightest save all. And again, O Savior, save me by Thy grace, I pray Thee. For if Thou shouldst save me for my works, this would not be grace or a gift, but rather a duty; yea, Thou Who art great in compassion and ineffable in mercy. For he that believeth in Me, Thou hast said, O my Christ, shall live and never see death. If, then, faith in Thee saves the desperate, behold, I believe, save me, for Thou art my God and Creator. Let faith instead of works be imputed to me, O my God, for Thou wilt find no works which could justify me. But may my faith suffice instead of all works, may it answer for, may it acquit me, may it make me a partaker of Thine eternal glory. And let Satan not seize me and boast, O Word, that he hath torn me from Thy hand and fold. But whether I desire it or not, save me, O Christ my Savior, forestall me quickly, quickly for I perish. Thou art my God from my mother's womb. Vouchsafe me, O Lord, to love Thee now as fervently as I once loved sin itself, and also to work for Thee without idleness, diligently, as I worked before for deceptive Satan. But supremely shall I work for Thee, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I am always especially moved by this line: But whether I desire it or not, save me, O Christ my Savior, forestall me quickly, quickly for I perish.
And this: Teach us to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others so that we may bring confusion and sorrow to none.
Isaac awoke early and we let him roam around the house and backyard while we slept in until 10am. From about 9am until 10am, Samuel was intermittently awake and crying, so it wasn't as if it was quality sleep.
When Isaac came into our room after we got out of bed, he reported that he had gotten naked and buried himself in the sandbox while we'd slept.
"I love the feeling of sand on my penis."
Um....
I made a breakfast/lunch of migas, but burned some of my tortillas because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.
I should be working on writing a couple of email campaigns for a client, but have no motivation to do so. The deadline is weeks away. But, the sooner I finish them, the sooner I get paid. And, who doesn't need money?
The good news is that we said our morning prayers as a family. That's always encouraging. I believe anyone who can pray the following two prayers with earnestness and sincerity of heart will experience true sanctity in this life:
Prayer of the Optina Elders
O Lord, grant us to greet the coming day in peace. Help us in all things to rely upon Thy holy will. In every hour of the day, reveal Thy will to us. Bless our dealings with all who surround us. Teach us to treat all that comes to us throughout the day with peace of soul and with the firm conviction that Thy will governs all. In all our deeds and words, guide our thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let us not forget that all are sent by You. Teach us to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others so that we may bring confusion and sorrow to none. Give us strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct our wills. Teach us to pray, to forgive, to hope, to suffer, and to love, and do Thou, Thyself, pray in us. Amen.
Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ
O my plenteously merciful and all-merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, through Thy great love Thou didst come down and become incarnate so that Thou mightest save all. And again, O Savior, save me by Thy grace, I pray Thee. For if Thou shouldst save me for my works, this would not be grace or a gift, but rather a duty; yea, Thou Who art great in compassion and ineffable in mercy. For he that believeth in Me, Thou hast said, O my Christ, shall live and never see death. If, then, faith in Thee saves the desperate, behold, I believe, save me, for Thou art my God and Creator. Let faith instead of works be imputed to me, O my God, for Thou wilt find no works which could justify me. But may my faith suffice instead of all works, may it answer for, may it acquit me, may it make me a partaker of Thine eternal glory. And let Satan not seize me and boast, O Word, that he hath torn me from Thy hand and fold. But whether I desire it or not, save me, O Christ my Savior, forestall me quickly, quickly for I perish. Thou art my God from my mother's womb. Vouchsafe me, O Lord, to love Thee now as fervently as I once loved sin itself, and also to work for Thee without idleness, diligently, as I worked before for deceptive Satan. But supremely shall I work for Thee, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I am always especially moved by this line: But whether I desire it or not, save me, O Christ my Savior, forestall me quickly, quickly for I perish.
And this: Teach us to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others so that we may bring confusion and sorrow to none.