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Waking Up
By Sister Julie | January 22, 2008
It’s snowing here in Chicago. I woke up this morning at 3:44 a.m. to the sound of a neighbor shoveling the sidewalk right beneath my window. Good morning! So I’ve been up ever since, praying, puttering around the house, doing some editing, and drinking strong coffee.
This is my favorite time of the day, though often I miss it because I am still sleeping. I love the pre-dawn day when the sun has not yet peeked over the horizon and the city feels asleep under the cover of night. My prayer as well as my thinking always seem so much sharper at this time. I feel like God is ever so close to me — I know God is always close to me, but this time of day seems to heighten it for me. How many psychologists and spiritualists talk about the “liminal edges”(liminal meaning being on the threshold)?
Dawn is like a threshold where the night is no longer here and the day not quite yet. They are both present and not present at the same time. Do you remember all those movies and fairy tales where the person (or thing) lives the day in one form (a werewolf, an ogre, a pumpkin or other creature — I watched the film Ladyhawke a million times when I was younger!) and at dusk transforms into another form? Then at dawn, the transformation is reversed? In our collective human psyche I think we know that these are special times of the day. Monks and nuns have honored these hours for hundreds of years by praying the Liturgy of the Hours. I honor this time with prayer and coffee (coffee being a libation of sorts, I suppose 
).
Though I was a bit perturbed by waking up to a snow shovel scraping the sidewalk, upon further reflection, I’m glad for it because it reminds me to get up a little earlier next time so I can enjoy this sacred time instead of rushing into my day.
Thanks, Neighbor Guy, for waking me up — in more ways than one!
Topics: prayer, random writing |
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 am
this reminds me of one of my favorite movies, City of Angels. All the Angels would gather on the beach at sunset (can’t remember if at sunrise also, will have to watch it again soon). There is a quietness in that early morning pre-dawn that is so precious. Even at 6am, when I’m out walking the dog and the sky is just lightening I feel that calmness and feel closer to God. I think we need that quietness to feel that connection, and it’s so easy to lose it amidst the “noise” of our daily routines. I might just set the alarm for 3:30 some morning and savor that time as well!
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Julie, what makes you feel that God is there? A tingling in the fingertips, peace in your soul?
I’d like to know how others perceive this huge and benign presence.
kokopelli
(And yes, you’re right, early mornings are special - I’m happy for you that you enjoyed yours.)
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
It’s a hard question to answer, kokopelli. For me it has to do with a feeling of deep peace and a sense of connection within myself and outside of myself. Even though I may have a million things going on or on my mind, I feel that all is well with my soul — through no effort of my own. I feel connected with rest of the world in a sisterly way — not necessarily sisterly as a nun, but sisterly as a fellow member of the human family and of the world family. It is the Spirit of God who makes the “huge” and abstract and anonymously “benign” real and up-close-and-personal to me, intimate like a sister is with her siblings. That’s how I know God is there.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
For me it’s twilight. I love the time when it’s not dark, but it’s no longer light out. Morning just isn’t the same. (perhaps it’s because I’m Not A Cheery Morning Person.) Now that our days are getting longer, we’ve got a bit more twilight.
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:00 am
Greetings
I do not think I have been to this blog previously - but am delighted to read this entry on the Liturgy of the Hours.
I have been working hard to provide a simple introduction for those starting out on praying the Liturgy of the Hours. This is what I have prepared:
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/ofthehours/introduction.html
I would be happy to receive any constructive suggestions to make this a better starting resource. I will incorporate suggestions if they appear helpful – and if other suggestions don’t say the opposite ☺
Please consider placing a link called “Liturgy of the Hours” or “Liturgy of the Hours (ecumenical)” to http://www.liturgy.co.nz/ofthehours/resources.html
Blessings on your venture
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:22 am
I usually go to bed after the sun has risen, just because that pre-dawn/dawn time is absolutely my favourite time of the day. It is so peaceful, and the possibilities are endless…it’s a blank slate, a new start…and it’s just there for the taking. I love that!
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I love the early morning hours. I get up around 4:30AM so I can have the time to begin my day. I also start with coffee and the scripture readings of the day. To me this is the peaceful quiet time I need to keep connected with my God. I know God is with me because of the peace I feel even in the rush of a work day.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I’ve always admired people who get up very early to pray. It’s never worked for me. I am just not a morning person. I usually prefer praying in the early afternoon after lunch or in the evening. I like praying in bed. I feel closest to God in silence and solitude - especially when I’m on a quiet beach or sitting in the dark with a candle lit nearby. Sometimes, if I wake up in the middle of the night, I can and do pray.
deerose
January 24th, 2008 at 9:39 am
While I also love the solitude and silence of dawn, like deerose, I’m more of a night pray-er. I like the possibility of having the prayer last as long as it needs to, rather than feel as if I have to be conscious of the time and my schedule, my need to get going, eat breakfast, get to work. When I was in the novitiate years ago, my novice director noticed that when I was in having a dry spell during prayer, I was not doing two things: spending enough time outdoors and praying late at night. She urged me to go outside on our house grounds every night at 9:00 p.m. or later for prayer. This was in a dark, chilly, snowy northeastern winter, no less. Wow. The difference was amazing. It makes me realize how God invites us each to prayer in such unique and wonderful ways—the ways everyone is describing in the responses to Julie’s beautiful reflection on early morning.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Thomas Merton referred to this time of day as the “Pointe Vierge”.
i.e. The time of day when all the birds wake up and chirp, “is it time to “BE” yet”?
March 28th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Dear Sister Julie-
I hope this message finds you in the best of health and spirits.
I only recently discovered your blog, and have greatly enjoyed “surfing it.”
This article is about a new scientific study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that demonstrates that meditation can be used to cultivate greater compassion and kindness.
http://www.news.wisc.edu/14944
As we all can use more of those (and wisdom- but as it’s been said “What greater wisdom is there than kindness?”), I offer it here.
Although the article does not describe the specifics of the meditation technique (it is derived from Buddhist practice), I am certain that the meditation, contemplation and prayer practices of many faiths accomplish the same.
Just more evidence (as if it were needed) of the value of a regular prayer and meditation practice.
Best regards, wishes and prayers from a new, appreciative and enthusiastic reader-
David
April 1st, 2008 at 3:54 am
Thanks, David! Glad to meet you. That’s a very cool article — “Study shows compassion meditation changes the brain” — Compassion and kindness are both habits we must all cultivate. I’m going to bookmark that article. Thanks again. Have a blessed day. Sister J