Does your busy schedule make you feel overwhelmed, and does it prevent you from praying as much as you’d like? It might be helpful to establish a rule of life!

What’s it About? 💬 It’s all about establishing a structured approach to living a faith-filled life, balancing spiritual growth with everyday duties.

Fr. Bobby Blood’s Insights: 🌟

• Rule of Life’s Origin: Fr. Blood first encountered it in seminary. It seemed like just rules, but he realized it’s more about committing to live your faith daily.
• For Everyone, Not Just Clergy: He emphasizes that this isn’t just for priests or nuns. It’s especially relevant for laypeople balancing jobs, families, and faith.
• Tailored to Each Individual: God doesn’t expect a cookie-cutter approach from everyone. Your rule should fit your unique life and vocation.
• Stretch, Not Break: Fr. Blood uses Arnold Schwarzenegger’s muscle analogy to explain spiritual growth. It’s about pushing your limits without overwhelming yourself.
• Discerning God’s Plan: It’s crucial to take time and figure out where God is calling you to grow.

Balancing Act: ⚖️

• Combining Spiritual and Secular Life: It’s not just about nose-to-the-grindstone discipline. It’s finding joy in giving part of your day to God while managing other responsibilities.
• Avoiding Overload: Fr. Blood warns against the misconception that more devotions or prayers = more grace. God’s love isn’t something you earn through excessive spiritual practices.

Starting a Rule of Life: 🚀

• Start Small: Begin by figuring out how much time you can realistically dedicate to God daily.
• Overall Well-being: Consider other aspects like adequate sleep and nutrition.
• Obedience and Discipline: Having a structured rule helps focus on what’s important, though it requires discipline to stick to it.

Fr. Blood’s Personal Experience: 🙏

• Integration Into Life: As a priest, Fr. Blood finds that if one life aspect suffers, everything else does too. A balanced rule of life benefits all areas.
• Formation Over Time: The rule is not just a checklist but a way to form and mold our hearts and lives towards God.

The Takeaway: ✨ Embrace a rule of life that stretches you spiritually but fits within your unique life circumstances. It’s about balance, not overload, and growing closer to God in a way that nurtures all aspects of your life. 🌱🙌

Get the whole podcast here!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS