Daily Examen For Moms

Here’s the truth: most mothering doesn’t happen during quiet prayer times. And when we find enough quiet to pray. . . we fall asleep! Yet God is present with us in diapers and dishes, in carpools and chaos, in all the small moments that make up the motherhood journey. 

The practice of Examen, developed by Ignatius of Loyola, helps us see and remember how God is always with us -  not just in the peaceful moments, but in the ordinary and messy too. During Examen, we prayerfully look back over our day - paying attention to when God felt present (consolation) and when God felt absent (desolation).

Examen trains our eyes to see God in the midst of everything. Potty training, sibling wars, dance recitals, and snuggles. Bedtime routines, triumphs on the soccer field, and sleepless nights. 

There are lots of ways to practice Examen. Many do it at the end of the day, but for moms, it might look more like a quiet moment during naptime, in the school pickup line, or at the kitchen sink.

Spend five to thirty minutes writing, or just take a few quiet minutes to reflect on the past 24 hours and what you experienced in your body, thoughts and emotions:

• Notice the good (consolation): Where did you see a glimpse of God? What gave you life, even in a small way?

• Notice the hard (desolation): Where did God feel far away? What drained you or pulled you off center?

• Name your hope: What grace do you need for tomorrow?

No need to answer every question or practice every day. This isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about returning, again and again, to the God who is present with you every step of the way.