Somehow I imagine that it’s easy to make your work a prayer if you are, say, painting lovely pictures, designing elegant dresses or staying at home to care for your new baby. I haven’t actually done these things, to be sure, but they seem so creative, so beautiful – such a thorough participation in God’s creative work.
By contrast, making photocopies, organizing files, and opening the mail, while a necessary part of most office jobs, is hardly the most glamorous work a girl could dream of doing.
Although this girl makes it look good.
So as I begin my professional career, I face the challenge of finding new ways to sanctify my daily duties, even if they are not always as thrilling as they could be. One thing I’m often grateful for is the practice I had, thanks to the good advice of wise mentors, in offering up my work and studies as a high school and college student. One of my college professors recommended that I keep a small crucifix or prayer card next to my desk as I worked. Then when my eyes wandered, she said, I would see the image and remember who and what I was really working for. It was wonderful advice and helped me to keep my mind focused during long, boring assignments.
Now that I work in a secular office, I’m hesitant to keep a religious image next to my desk. Instead I try to keep a specific prayer or line from Scripture in my mind, repeating it to myself occasionally throughout the day. I’ve even been known to set an alarm on my phone to remind me to pray for particular intentions. But I’m not sure that I keep the presence of God as well as I could be doing, and that’s why I would like to turn to you.
Dear Readers, what would you recommend as a good way to sanctify one’s work, especially if one works in a secular place? Do you think that perhaps I should just bite the bullet and put up a small prayer card in my cubicle? Despite my qualms, I recognize that it would probably be a good way to witness to the Faith. I would love to know, what do you do to sanctify your studies and your work? Let’s share our ideas!
~ Tess
Thank you for the fabulous post, Tess!
ReplyDeleteYes, by all means put up a prayer card in your cubical. Others can have pictures of their loved ones on display. Why shouldn't we display an image of our Loved One, Christ? Anyway, a little prayer card is pretty inconspicuous. Best of luck to you with your career
I try to sanctify my work by offering up the little tasks I do for a specific intention or individual throughout the day. For example, when I'm mucking our a horse stall, each wheelbarrow I fill is offered for a different intention. That helps me keep my mind on the REAL goal behind work.
Put up a prayer card! Thats an awesome way to get chit chat on religious issues,hopefully leading to conversion!
ReplyDelete~
Autumn
One thing I do is pray for Mary's intercession almost constantly throughout the day. I go to a public school, so I can understand being in an environment that doesn't exactly promote a healthy faith life. But whenever I get discouraged or distracted, I say a quick Hail Mary, and she has a wonderful way of pointing me back to Christ and reminding me that he is the only one who really counts. :)
ReplyDeleteOh..and I think that if you feel comfortable with putting a prayer card or crucifix by your desk, it is a wonderful idea. :)
I think you should put up a small cross or prayer card at your desk. No one has the right to tell you to take it down, especially if this is your personal space. Actually, this is something I think I'll do myself. I've been told to offer up my sufferings to God, but as you said, sometimes it's hard to remember to do that in the midst of frustration and anger. My mind often wanders during long and boring assignments, when I would much rather be doing anything else for fun. Of course, the most I concentrate, the sooner the task/studying/etc gets completed.... Yes, I think I shall try that prayer card idea.
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
--LizB
One thing I started doing was keeping a Mass Journal. The idea was from the Catholic speaker, Matthew Kelly. He suggested taking one particular thing away from each Sunday homily or the Gospel reading and writing it in a Mass journal. Then, that one thing is what you would meditate on the entire week. He said you would know what that one thing is the moment you hear it because the Holy Spirit will make it clear if you pray for him to do so. I started doing that, only I write it on a new sticky note and put in on my desk. Every time I look up, I see the note and it provides wonderful moments to meditate on God's word and apply it to my life or just to have a quick reminder of His presence in my life.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Theresa
Ladies, thank you so much for your lovely comments! I'm so grateful! You've inspired me - I think I WILL get a nice little image of the Holy Family to put in my cubicle. Thank you for sharing your ideas and advice!
ReplyDeleteYou may also think about buying a small daily calendar for your desk. There are some beautiful ones you can find online of the Blessed Mother as well as the Saints.
ReplyDeleteSol