I was reading Spiritual Combat this morning in the wee hours after I woke up at 2:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. After an hour awake in bed praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary and morning prayer, I generally recognize the inevitable and rise and "shine" as much as possible. Hard to shine very brightly when it's still pitch black outside. Since I was a teenager I've had sleep issues and getting old certainly doesn't help that problem, but I have a different outlook now. These early morning wakeful times ( I admit I'd rather be asleep) offer an opportunity for quiet prayer, often beginning with a trip outside to look at the stars and praise God in the glory of the heavens.
