Sleeping with Bread: Monday, August 31st

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Monday, August 31st

I read an article, written by William J. Stuntz, that a Twitter friend (Thanks, Peter) linked to about suffering. The author went from a life that seemed perfect to a life that included the loss of his marriage, an ill child, and a chronic back pain that has not been able to be treated successfully. In the article, he discussed what suffering could do and what it doesn't do. It was very interesting to consider, especially the idea that, "illness does not beget virtue. Cancer and chronic pain make [a person] sick; they don't make [a person] good." In addition to his thoughts on suffering, though, the article impacted me in two ways: First, because his situation helps me to keep my situation in perspective. Second, he quoted the following verses from the Book of Job:

"You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made. Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin" (Job 14:15-16)

These verses were the proverbial balm to my soul. Outside of the context of the article, they reached out to me. I am comforted by the idea the God longs for me. I am glad to be reminded that he made me. I am excited to consider that he will call me and I will answer.

As we head into another week, what has been comforting to you? What did you need to be reminded of? Is there something that excites you?

Although the examen is a Christian practice, I would hope that anyone who has something to share would feel welcome here. Also, if you don't have your own blog and would like to participate, share your bread in the comments. To holding on to what gives life,

Mary-LUE

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: The quote that I posted here on one of my other blogs. It was reiterated in a homily yesterday at our church.

As for your post, I know because of volunteering at a hospice, that is true that cancer doesn't make a person good. However, that didn't, and doesn't, mean that we treat the guest any differently.; August 31, 2009 8:38 AM
Shari said...: This moved me beyond words, Mary. Thank you for sharing this.; August 31, 2009 1:05 PM
Mel said...: Our faith is a love song so achingly beautiful that you weep each time you hear it. At the center of that true myth, that painting, that song stands a God who does vastly more than remember his image in us. He pursues us as lovers pursue one another.

Now THAT--was exactly what I needed to hear/read.

Thank you so much!!!; August 31, 2009 4:17 PM
ReadWriteSnap said...: hi, i made another post for this one...it's so nice to express what we should be living for all along...in His glory.; September 02, 2009 9:40 PM

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What is Sleeping with Bread?

During the bombing raids of WWII, thousands of children were orphaned and left to starve. The fortunate ones were rescued and placed in refugee camps where they received food and good care. But many of these children who had lost so much could not sleep at night. They feared waking up to find themselves once again homeless and without food. Nothing seemed to reassure them. Finally, someone hit upon the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. Holding their bread, these children could finally sleep in peace. All through the night the bread reminded them, "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow." (Linn, Dennis et al, Sleeping With Bread, p.l)

These are the beginning words of a book that introduced me to a practice called the examen. The orphans held on to what nourished them and were thus able to sleep peacefully at night. The examen, based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, helps a person hold onto what spiritually nourishes him by looking at what is giving him consolation in his life or causing him desolation. It allows someone to express his gratitude to God for the good stuff and turn to him for solace for the bad stuff. It is quite simple. You simply ask yourself, in the last day/week/month what gave me consolation and what caused me desolation.

How do you do it?

Sleeping with Bread is a Monday meme. You can participate in one of two ways: 1) Pick one of the above examen question sets and answer it in the comments section of my SWB post; or, 2) Create your own Sleeping with Bread post. You are welcome to right click on the Sleeping with Bread button and save it to your own computer before uploading into your post. Then, make sure you come back and put the link to your post in the automated Mr. Linky form at the end of the current SWB post. I hope you will join me and my fellow bakers as we Sleep with Bread on Mondays!