{You can read these posts about previous chapters. And do post pictures of your little oratory as it develops. I think you will be encouraged by what you see others have been doing.}
I thought I'd pop in and chat a bit about Chapter 6 of The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home.
Do you mind? I hope not.
Many of us would like to read Scripture more. I always think you're like me, with the same little quirks and preferences, although I'm coming to find out that you are much more diligent than I when it comes to many things, including prayer and reading the Bible…
But if you were the kind of person who becomes paralyzed at the thought of this big, big project on the one hand and your desire to do it on the other — not knowing how but knowing you should — maybe this little chapter will help.
For one thing, it might help with how to begin if you know nothing at all. That is where I found myself, quite a while ago.
For another, if you are Catholic, well, Catholics have heard for so long that we don't know the Bible that we feel like giving up before we start. That is where I found myself after a time. And yet, we have already started without even realizing it! This is because the Mass is wall-to-wall Scripture, and if you add to that the Liturgy of the Hours, you are truly cycling through a large proportion of the Bible every year.
There is a beautiful approach to reading the Bible that works with your own rhythm, balancing absorbing new information with making your reading into an encounter with the Word, the Person of Jesus. It's the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading), and we try to give you a flavor of that in this chapter. It is very different from a tense approach. It's relaxed and emphasizes a conversation with God.
And then there is something I discovered while teaching in the Atrium, where the children begin with the Good Shepherd. And that is to start with something you know from the Bible — anything, really — and to go from there, building little by little until you find you have a big bit of the puzzle.
{By the way, the littlest children are read to in the Atrium by the teacher from the actual, “adult” Bible, not told a “Bible story” — nor is it summarized for them beforehand, although they will talk to you about it at length after it's been read to them a few times.}
What you come to realize is that, for instance, the parable of the Good Shepherd unfolds gradually, and you can take just a bit of it (John 10:14-16) and start with that. Notice it's not the first bit. Not at all. In fact, you go backwards once you've spent a while with those two verses. And then you go on. And you might go back to Ezekiel, even… and then you go ahead to the Last Supper…
And this works for any starting point that you may wish to use. Start with what you know.
Since my inclination is usually to force myself to go to the beginning and plow on until I get to the end, this way surprised me with its simplicity and effectiveness. Have you ever tried this way?
Lisa says
I ate a whole pineapple in hopes of inducing labor with baby #2. Didn’t work for me.
Hope it happens soon. Sukie. Those last days seem to stretch for months.
Kelsey says
I did eat a carton of raw pineapple the day before my daughter was born, and active labor began within the hour… However, I was also doing absolutely everything else I could think of / someone had at some point mentioned to get labor going. Who knows what finally made the difference?
Is it just me, or do the vast majority of first-time moms face this issue? I do not get it. If it’s so common for new mothers to go “late,” WHY do doctors (or midwives, in my case,) amp up the pressure so much? My mil had her fourth child three weeks after the due date! That would never happen now. My prayers are with you Sukie!
Kelly says
I found myself in this place with the Bible many years ago and I recall just opening to a page and reading whatever I came to, believing that God had led me there! It really is true that you can become familiar with the Bible with little bits at a time. About 8 years ago, during a difficult time, I read through the entire Bible in about a year and a half. I took my time. And it was one of the best experiences of my life. Now I read the Bible before I go to bed most nights. I don’t begin reading any of my other books until I have read even just one paragraph of the Bible (I am reading through the Gospels as reading Jesus’ words is so awesome). It really is the food that satisfies! God bless you! Your book is one that is on my reading table and I am digesting bits of it at a time as well. 🙂
Anitra says
Hang in there, Sukie! The baby will come eventually! I’m playing the waiting game, too. Not overdue (yet), but huge and uncomfortable and just ready for this boy to come out and meet the family!
I’ve tried plenty of home remedies to induce labor – nothing has worked, even when my body seems otherwise ready. With baby #2, I went a week overdue, with all signs pointing to the baby being ready! Eventually, my doctor and I gave up and went with a scheduled induction. It’s not for everyone, but it worked well for me; the pitocin gave my body the jump-start it needed. A few hours later, I had a 9lb 9oz boy in my arms 🙂
Mamabearjd(Michelle) says
I ate lots of pineapple over a couple of days and went into labor with baby 5, but I also had a dance party with my kids that night, and maybe that was why my water broke. So, dance party, Sukie! Praying for a safe delivery.
Kathy@9peas says
Praying for Sukie and for labor to kick in soon!
I’m a notorious rule follower to my own demise sometimes. This goes with thinking every book should be read from beginning to end. Realizing the bible is broken up into many books helped me let go of that notion and read it skipping around. I absolutely love the notion of reading real scripture and then discussing. We do this with Mass and the homily, I always love the rabbit trails they take us on and we all learn something each time.
Jenny says
I remember reading recently (last year?) that eating ripe dates is supposed to prompt labor. Maybe, maybe not, but it isn’t a bad way to pass the time. Also foot rubs.
Carrie says
Dear Sukie, pineapple works for me (or appears to!). I ate fresh pineapple right at the end with babies #1 and #2. I had problems throughout my pregnancy with #3 due to an ‘ineffective placenta’. I won’t go into all the whys and wherefores but at week 38 her growth rate was falling off and my doctor decided she was better off out. I was told this on a Friday and booked in for an induction on the Sunday two days following. On the way home from the Friday hospital appointment I bought a pineapple and ate my way through it over the next couple of days. When I was admitted on the Sunday I was found to be in labour already so they didn’t need to induce me. I had a much more ‘monitored’ birth than the previous two ( and they wouldn’t let me in the birthing pool) but I felt quite pleased with myself for having outmanouvered them as I saw it! The birth was straightforward and my daughter was healthy and continues to be so. I don’t know if the pineapple really played a part in beginning labour but I think it made me feel that I was DOING something, and the extra vitamin C isn’t going to do any harm. Also, my husband and I love Banagrams! I will pray for you.
Tess says
I ate two whole pineapples to try and induce labor and nothing happened. My son was born a whole 15 days after he was due.
I will say, the day before I went into labor, I drank a lot of cumin tea – which is an old Hispanic midwife trick to induce labor. So that’s the only labor-inducing trick that actually seemed to work. But I’m not sure if the tea actually worked or it was just a coincidence in timing. Still, it’s worth a shot!
Donna L. says
Hang in there, ladies! I was late with two of mine, and the best thing is walking, evening primrose oil and time. I had never heard about raw pineapple–after two large slices, my mouth is sore, and raw from the acidity–so careful with that! There are bunches of ideas on the internet-you have probably already perused them…{spicy food, castor oil–danger, do not do that, big problems} back rubs, and the pressure point on the inner calf to keep things moving…I always teased my husband that we needed a pogo stick just for me to play on to “get things moving!”….not that I could balance on one at 9+ months pregnant…but it sure got us laughing anyway! As long as baby is doing well, and there aren’t any circumstances of concern, baby will come when baby and God have decided…and not a moment sooner! Just remember to offer up the heat, and exhaustion and help empty out Purgatory during this trying time! God bless you ALL and may our Lady help you through!
Elena @ barefoot and sometimes pregnant says
Raw pineapple didn’t work for me. I am on #6 and all but one of my kids have been late. #6 is currently 4 days late and #2 & #3 were both 2 weeks late. #4 was 2 days late and #5 was a week late. However, I have come to realize that no matter what you do, babies come when they are ready. However, I am hoping this one isn’t 2 weeks late because I can’t take this heat while pregnant much longer. Best of luck!
Donna L. says
Hello again! I wanted to say that it is very relaxing to have your Mom with you, as you wait, and that could be one reason why baby Dino is waiting, too! I have had two babies come late, one right on his due date, and two who came early by two weeks–so babies keep you guessing! I’m sure you already thought of this, but go ahead and do your nails today–hands and feet, and put on some pretty polish! Also, ask if someone could rub your hands and feet, because they are under a lot of pressure, and it will feel wonderful!
Kate says
A friend and one of my sisters swears by castor oil to induce labor if you can handle the icky beginning. I often went into labor after taking a long walk, but I was never very late. It only works if you are at the point where walking is VERY uncomfortable. An older lady friend told me she went into labor after dancing the Polka (I always thought the Polka was more like running laps than actual dancing).
briana says
Now I want to be trained in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd even more. And I can’t find ANYONE in our parish who is.
Yes, I start at the beginning and plow through. I am very like you in that way.
Getting babies out? What got them there in the first place.
Faith says
oh my. Remind yourself that this baby is not late. The baby will come. That’s not to say i haven’t tried everything under the sun to get my two “late” babies to come– including raw pineapple every day, a raw potato and cumin drink every day, copious amounts of raspberry leaf tea, spicy Mexican food, and a lot of walking. Praying for Suki! Oh my I know how she feels and having so many people interested in her progress could get a little extra aggravating. Love to her!!!
My mother reads a chapter a night of the bible. This hasn’t worked so well with me. I love lectio divina; and I would also like to find a good concordance.
Julia R. says
Castor oil! It’s gross but it made me go into labor within a couple of hours.
Rosemary says
I ate an entire pineapple and went for a looong walk and went into labor the next morning … I think it was probably more the walking than the pineapple, but you never know! 🙂
Josie says
Sukie and Leila, I have a labor recommendation! (I’m not a usual commenter, but I’m such a fan of y’all and want to speak up in case it could be helpful!) This is something the midwife gave me to do after I’d been having contractions all day, but things weren’t really progressing. It’s also supposed to be helpful pre-labor to get baby in a great spot. The Miles Circuit is three half-hour “exercises”: http://www.milescircuit.com/the-circuit.html
Did the trick for me! Inez was head down but with her back on my right side, and evidently in labor babies only rotate clockwise to get over to the left side then out—rather than a simple quick quarter turn the other way, argh—and that accounts for many longer labors.
Godspeed!
Jennifer says
I have tried many different approaches. I have just opened and read, read cover to cover, studied a book in depth over many months, etc. Right now, I am reading the daily readings of the Mass each day. I think they all have their merits and no matter how you read scripture and no matter how many times you read the same verse over and over, there is always more meat to be had.
I am really enjoying your book. I am only up to the Liturgy of the Hours, but I can’t wait to read more. If I had some more uninterrupted time, it would be finished already. I’m going thrifting on Wednesday in the hopes of finding a suitable shelf. I’ll post pictures soon!
Anne says
Have you heard of an induction massage? I had one once, and I have idea if it worked, but it felt great! I got impatient and went on the earthquake simulator at the children’s museum. That did the trick.
Anne says
‘No idea’ if it worked. Oops.
Anitra says
Back on topic – as a Protestant, the most important thing is to READ the Bible – preferably with an eye to context (what happened just before this passage, who is writing, why, etc.) I am also a fan of reading “real” Bible to my children (and then discussing afterwards), in addition to Bible storybooks. The most important thing with a Bible storybook is to make sure you’re not picking ones that turn every story into “do good and be good”, but instead point to Jesus and what He did!
Stephanie says
I think the children know, deep down, when things are watered down and less beautiful for them. Phony even. Reading Scripture with children in the Atrium is divine! God Bless you Sukie!
Kari says
I had baby #1 at 41.5 weeks and baby #2 at 41.5 weeks. Baby #3 was born at 38 weeks (1 week before Christmas) so I was shocked! I was expecting a January baby and instead I got a Christmas present. 2 days before baby #2 was born, I had a “hitch in my get-along” ie: my hips were feeling out of whack, spine mis-aligned, etc so I went to see the chiropractor. He fixed the “hitch” and baby#2 came! Baby #3 came about 3 weeks after a message, and possibly another spinal adjustment (I can’t remember) but I know I was about to say “no more chiropractor until after Christmas just in case!” So, find a chiropractor who will adjust a pregnant lady (it takes some doing…) and that may help you! But! my babies came when they were ready, and I didn’t really feel mentally prepared until they were on their way. I hope you’re not feeling to anxious.
Kari
Kara says
My husband would concur with Briana..what gets them in gets them out! I personally think that first babies just like to settle in…and of course, that’s the time you’re most anxious to get them out. Worth waiting though….so many starts with pitocin end with a c-section. Mine almost did and that was with a mid-wife and an involved mama advocating for me along with my husband. Prayers for you all and little Dino!