Episode 10: Permission to Establish a Rule of Life

On today’s episode of the podcast, Genie Shaw and I talk about what a Rule of Life is and how moms can model their life after life in the monastery. We discuss why establishing a Rule is worth doing and how our perfection as Christians is tied up in doing God’s will, not our own. If you’ve ever wanted more order in your life, this episode is a MUST LISTEN!

Perfection is us doing the will of God that He has for us, not somebody else, not what we think is the best, but just uniting ourselves with that will. That is our perfection as a Christian.

Genie Shaw

Find what you want to hear

Get to know Genie

[2:43] In this segment, we get to know a little about Genie Shaw and her journey of motherhood.

Genie is a Catholic convert and second-generation homeschool mom to a rascal of 5 rowdy boys and 3 equally energetic girls, deep in the heart of Texas. Each day she lives out her vocation to help her family get to heaven by modeling their home after the rhythm of monastic life and observing the liturgical year. Genie writes the popular blog Barefoot Abbey, where cloister meets hearth, and is the founder of the Feast Fast Feria Collective, a monthly mentorship, and community for busy Catholic mothers that takes the stress and guesswork out of liturgical living.

Defining a Rule of Life

[5:09] Genie Shaw talks about living the monastic life in the home and what a “Rule” of life is all about. She also talks about the difference between a rule of life in motherhood and in a monastery.

Establishing a Rule of Life

[10:10] Here, Genie talks about what moms should consider when establishing a Rule of Life. The goal is to keep yourself recollected to God during the day but also live the life God has called us to based on our current vocation and station in life.

Genie shares her history of having a Rule of Life.

A rule vs. productivity

[24:04] In this segment we talk about how a Rule of Life isn’t the same as just being really productive. We talk about what perfection as a Christian really is all about. We also talk about how establishing a Rule can help you not waste time.

How the liturgical life impacts a Rule

[29:54] Here, we talk about how the Liturgical life impacts our prayer life and the prayer life of our family.

If you are wanting to live liturgically, and you are not saying a family rosary, you need to start over and get back to the basics.

Genie Shaw

Re-evaluating your Rule of Life

[35:36] If you’ve wondered whether or not your rule can change, YES! It can. And in this segment, Genie tells us why. Genie also shares some of her favorite resources. And, I’ve linked them below.

Mum Sabbath

[43:00] You can’t pour from an empty cup. Here, Genie talks about why it’s so important to take some time for yourself. And, Genie shares something she’s been giving herself permission to pursue right now.

Connect with our guest and find resources discussed

• Find Genie at her blog
• Join Genie in her Feast + Fast + Feria Collective
• Follow Genie on IG
• Find the book, Mother’s Rule of Life
• Formed.org
• My Prayer Book
• Counsels of Perfection for Christian Mothers

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