SIMPLE40 - Day 29 Monday - Stability and Simplicity
- Katie Donahue
- Mar 22
- 4 min read
My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress; I shall never fall. ~Psalm 62:2-3
When I think of stability, I think of firm foundations, consistency, perseverance, commitment, security and strength. This current culture we are in does not seem to value stability. I think we all know how it goes...the newness and excitement to start something new followed by the disappointment and weariness when it becomes ordinary and boring. This can happen with small personal projects, commitments (like Lent), relationships and our work/career. It is easy to give up and drop things, moving on to something else when things get difficult, especially when there is something new or even better around the corner.
The truth is that we need to give up the hunt for the next best thing and be where our feet are, tending to the task in front of us. Why is this so difficult sometimes? St. Benedict believed stability was so important that he added it to the traditional religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The nuns of the Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey describe stability:
We live together, pray together, work together, relax together. We give up the temptation to move from place to place in search of an ideal situation. Ultimately, there is no escape from oneself, and the idea that things would be better someplace else is usually an illusion. And when interpersonal conflicts arise, we have a great incentive to work things out and restore peace. This means learning the practices of love: acknowledging one's own offensive behavior, giving up one's preferences, forgiving.
As lay people, we are not bound by a formal vow of stability, but we are absolutely invited to live it.
This doesn’t mean we never move, change jobs, or enter new seasons. There are times when God clearly calls us elsewhere for the good of our families. But even in those transitions, stability can remain. It lives in the small, faithful rhythms we carry with us...the simple routines that anchor us when everything else feels uncertain.
Stability is not about staying stuck. It is about staying rooted.
When we commit to a simple, steady rhythm of life, something beautiful happens: we are freed from constant distraction and restlessness. We become more present. More attentive. More open to the people and experiences God is placing right in front of us.
And in that rootedness, we begin to discover that God Himself is our true foundation, our rock, our steadiness, our home.
spiritual
Nunc coepi… now I begin again.
As you enter this Monday, receive this as a gentle invitation...not to strive harder, but to begin again with intention. Recommit to your Lenten practices with a renewed heart, finishing this final stretch before Holy Week with faithfulness and peace.
Begin again, not because you failed, but because God always invites you back.
What might 40 minutes of daily prayer look like for you today?
Maybe it’s:
sitting in silence with the Lord
praying with Scripture slowly and intentionally
a walk with God, noticing His presence around you
time before the Blessed Sacrament
or simply showing up, distracted but willing
Let it be simple. Let it be real. Let it be rooted.
Stability in the spiritual life is about returning, again and again, to the One who is always waiting.
Prayer for Stability
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for these days of Lent.
I ask you to help me persevere in my Lenten commitments
and sacrifices and to inspire me to establish simple routines
that will lead to stability for myself and my family.
Thank you for the precious souls you have given me to care for
and for others you have placed in my life.
My I be fully present and attentive to their needs
by living a stable life of prayer and work.
Blessed Mother, you who lived a very stable, routine family life
most of your years, help me to gratefully receive each day I am given,
and to give God my yes as you did.
AMEN
self
3 Hail Mary Wall Sit
After every 40 minute exercise session this week, I challenge you to do a 3 Hail Mary Wall Sit.
Start like the picture...
back against the wall with hips and knees just above 90 degrees.
Pray one Hail Mary
Then slide your back down the wall a few inches and hold while you
Pray your second Hail Mary
Finally, slide your back down another few inches and hold while you
Pray your third Hail Mary
Push up through your heels to stand when you are done.
(Don't fall to the ground.)
Feel free to modify to your level of fitness.
service
This week, take a look at your daily and weekly routines. Do you need to establish more structure to help your family feel secure and know what to expect? This can include regular mealtimes, bedtime routines, and designated family time. By creating a stable home environment with simple routines, your kids can develop a sense of belonging and feel more confident in themselves and their relationships.
Remember this little daily rule? If you have older kids, print one out for them and have them create their own daily routine that meshes with your family routine.
simple recipe
THAI BASIL BEEF
This recipe was discovered by my son who had a pound of ground beef and wanted to try something different. It was a big hit when he came home to visit and requested we make it. !
Thank you for following along!
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