Prayer & Priorities

One morning during Opening Prayer, I set the intention of finding some order for my life. In the chaos of the start of the school year, I was struggling with a full plate as an involved parent and community volunteer.

As our first work session began, I began to sketch out all my commitments and roles in a mind map format. Patterns emerged as I grouped these tasks by type. School commitments as a grade parent and library volunteer. A flurry of church commitments: bible study, choir, organizing the monthly women's dinners and an annual retreat. I listed family commitments as the primary cook, housecleaner, budget planner and child care provider. And then there was my position on the reunion planning committee for my college, as a lead fundraiser and attendance booster.

The tangle of tasks on the page was a visual representation of the overwhelm I was feeling in my life. No wonder I felt scattered and unfocused!

I took a mental step back and surveyed the map in front of me.

Suddenly, I felt a profound sense of clarity surrounding me. I could see that I needed to let go of something, and it was utterly clear to me in that moment that I needed to let go of the work around planning my college reunion.

It was so clear in fact, that it felt like a God-moment to me.

You see, any other day, I may have felt guilty about stepping down. I'd worry about letting others down. I'd procrastinate in taking any action. I would have endured the long conference call scheduled for that weekend, the dozens of follow-up email exchanges.

However, the deep sense of certainty that I felt at The Divine Office that day made it possible for me to act immediately.

I sent a quick text to my friend on the committee to let him know of my decision. I wrote an email to the appropriate college staff member, apologizing and withdrawing from the planning role.

I pressed SEND. I took a deep breath, feeling free and calm.

BUZZ! I got a text back from my friend, full of understanding and encouragement. DING! I got an email back from the college, acknowledging my decision and thanking me for my past service.

That entire year-long commitment was absolutely and FOREVER off my plate. And it had taken only minutes to complete the change.

Just then, the church bells began to toll, calling me to noonday prayer. I shared my deep gratitude for the certainty I felt—which empowered me to remove this burdensome commitment from my life. I left The Divine Office that day feeling lighter. In letting go, I gained a greater sense of my purpose and direction.

—from a founding member of The Divine Office