3 am

For the last few days I have been waking up at 3 am (or thereabouts). It's not an uncomfortable waking where I'm too hot or too cold or hungry or thirsty. I don't even have the urge to use the restroom. I just wake up.

Each day I get up and look at my clock and it's just after the 3 o'clock hour. It wasn't until just now, though, that I wondered if there's a reason for it. Perhaps someone needs my prayers. Perhaps the Lord is calling me into a more intimate conversation time with Him.

On retreat, my favorite times were those holy hours which we observed alone in the middle of the night. Each person would take a turn in the chapel, visiting with Jesus as the others slept. How peaceful it was. How amazing it felt to be the sole person awake in the house with Jesus.

He keeps watch always.

I used to pray for the holy souls in purgatory when I woke. I was also fond of praying for those who, for one reason or another, were not able to sleep either. For the children who did not have a place to sleep. For mothers who had lost children. For fathers dying trying to protect and care for their families. I don't know why I fell out of the habit or how.

I wonder what this all means...

Help a future friar!

My buddy Andrew has committed his life to the Lord (to become a Franciscan friar) but can't enter until he reduces his debt. He's hoping to raise about $75,000 by August of 2009 and is keeping us all updated on his efforts at his new blog: Help A Future Friar. Stop by and check him out! As always, prayers are requested first and foremost and then your financial assistance, if you are able.

Thanks and God bless you, my friends!