Finding Time for the Timeless

John McQuiston II is an attorney and an active lay leader in his congregation in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the author of the best-selling Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living and Knowing Beyond Words.

• Preface xiPhillip: Wondering What Could Change 1Jason: Wakefulness to God 3Karen: Life as a Prayer 6Joe: A Way of Living Every Day 8Ana: Music as Prayer 12Payne: Breathing into Spirit 15Helen: Friendship as Prayer 18Murray: Discovering What You're Looking For 21Anna Mae: Finding Spiritual Strength 24Mohammed Jamil: Unbroken Communication with God 26Lisa: Deepening the Experience of Life 28A Monday Morning in January 31Dan: Connecting with Something Greater 34Bhaskar: Prayer as a Constant in Life 36Jennie: Opening Up the World 38Ted: A Happy Routine 41Alice: Walking toward God 45Sam: Dogs, Fish, Stress, and Prayer 47Rada: Reaching Out to Others 49Bill: Starting the Day with Quiet 52Margaret: A Daily Life of Service 56Paul: The Character of a Life 58Harriette: Attention That Is Joyfully Engaged 61A Sunday Morning in March 63Nabil: Creating a Patient Heart 66Jim: The Gift of Talents 71Herbert: Recognizing the Opportunity 74Nastha: The Kingdom of Love on Earth 78David: Help, Forgive Me, and Thank You 80Katherine: The Spiritual Commute 86Ray: Inspired by the Psalms 88A Monday in June on a Train in France 90Jack: Just Being a Friend 93Elise: Beyond Time and Money 96A July Morning in Maine 99Harry: The Energetic Presence of God 103Esther: A Pattern for Comfort and Support 106A Sunday in September 108Luke: Fast Food, Slow Contemplation 112Rebecca: Wordless Prayer 114Ben: Thankfulness as Healing Prayer 117P.K.: Alone with God, Nature, and City 119Andi: Perceiving the Cries of the World 122Zach: Co-worker with God 127Edgar: Offering Compassion 129James: Reminders in the Real World 131Charles: Making the Mundane into the Holy 133A Monday Evening in December 135A Note about Finding Time 139Suggestions for Practice 142Spiritual Practice of Reading 142Spiritual Practice of Writing 145Spiritual Practice of Prayer 146Spiritual Practice of Meditation 148Spiritual Practice of Physical Space 150Spiritual Practice of Music 152Spiritual Practice of Community 153About the Reading List 158A Reading List 163Notes 175

"The author's message regarding the power of positive acts based on strong faith and ethical thought is uplifting."—Peter S. Willmott, director, FedEx Corporation"A wealth of prayers and thoughts for everyone, regardless of tradition. I found it non-stop reading in one sitting."—S. Shepherd Tate, past president, American Bar Association"Finally, a book that has models of faith forged by fishing, walking, writing, singing ... even eating a fast food breakfast. If you're looking for ways to integrate your 'real life' and your 'prayer life,' [this] is the guidebook you’ve been looking for."—Ana Hernández, author, The Sacred Art of Chant: Preparing to Practice"The holy is in the ordinary, the sacred is in the profane and we find the Creator of the universe in the mundane details of everyday life. John McQuiston does an admirable job of helping us to discover the joy of this reality in the knockabout world of work."—Mitch Finley, author, Prayer for People Who Think Too Much: A Guide to Everyday, Anywhere Prayer from the World’s Faith Traditions