Your Monday Hug Devotion for August 25, 2025: The Need for Discipline
Happy Monday, my Friend!
I like to think of myself as pretty disciplined - but there are still areas where I wish I had more self-control. I’ve tried different tricks to build habits, and sometimes… nothing sticks. Have you felt that too?
When that happens, I’m reminded that discipline doesn’t have to be perfect - it just has to be steady, like St. Monica’s patient prayers for her son Augustine. Real growth often comes slowly, through persistence and trust.
This weekend I was struck by a priest’s reminder of the ancient prayer Sub tuum praesidium - “Under Your Protection.” He encouraged us to take a few minutes each day to write down our own needs (not anyone else’s), without judgment, and entrust them to Mary’s care.
I’m planning to try this simple practice this week - and I’d love to hear if it’s something you already do.
Keep scrolling for more, including this week’s Hug video and rosaries paired with the saints of the week: St. Monica, St. Augustine, and the Passion of St. John the Baptist.
Watch the Video
This week’s reflection is all about discipline - not the rigid kind, but the steady, everyday choices that help us grow. Proverbs reminds us that self-control is more powerful than conquering a city, and that real fruit comes from faithful work over time. Take a few minutes with this video to pause, reset, and think about the small ways you can lean on God’s help to stay steady today.
The Need for Discipline
Excerpt from Hugs: Daily Inspirations for Women
"It is better to have self-control than to conquer a city." Proverbs 16:32
Wise women understand the importance of discipline. In Proverbs 28:19 the principle is clear: "Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor".
If we work diligently and faithfully, we can expect a bountiful harvest. But we must never expect the harvest to precede the labor.
Poet Mary Frances Butts advised, "Build a little fence of trust around today. Fill each space with loving work, and therein stay."
Thoughtful women understand that God doesn't accept laziness. He expects His children (of all ages) to lead disciplined lives. But when they do, He rewards them.
" Real freedom means to welcome the responsibility it brings, to welcome the God-control it requires, to welcome the discipline that results, to welcome the maturity it creates." - Eugenia Price
Untying the Knots Within – One Step at a Time
- Mini Prayer: Sub tuum praesidium - “Under Your Protection, O Holy Mother of God, take my needs and place me under your care.”
- Quiet Practice: Take a few minutes each day to write down your own needs (not anyone else’s), without judgment, and entrust them to Mary’s care through this prayer. This simple act can help cultivate steady, faithful habits and invite God’s grace into your daily life.
- Saint Companion:
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St. Monica (Aug 27) - A model of patient, persistent prayer for her son Augustine, reminding us that steady faithfulness leads to lasting transformation.
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St. Augustine (Aug 28) - Shows us that growth often comes gradually, through honesty, reflection, and openness to God’s grace.
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St. John the Baptist (Passion) (Aug 29) - Courageous and steadfast, inspiring us to remain disciplined and faithful even when the path is difficult.
- Rosary Moment: (Scroll Down for this week's Rosary Moment - a perfect time to pause and reset.)
- Product Tip: Hang a door rosary somewhere you pass every day - like your bedroom or office door. Each time you see it, take a brief pause to pray Sub tuum praesidium or a short decade, grounding your day in God’s care. Over time, these small pauses become a steady habit that nurtures discipline.
Rosaries to Inspire this Week:
This week, try praying a decade asking God to help you grow in steady faithfulness and self-discipline - letting go of distractions and entrusting your needs to Mary with Sub tuum praesidium.
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Tiny Traveler Rosary – (St. Monica)
A gentle reminder that patient, persistent prayer can lead to lasting transformation.
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Midnight Grace St. Benedict Door Rosary – (St. Augustine)
Encourages daily reflection and small, faithful steps toward growth. -
Divine Peace St. Benedict Door Rosary – (St. John the Baptist, Passion)
A symbol of courage and steadfastness, helping you stay disciplined even when the path feels challenging. - Any of our Handcrafted knotted Rosaries – Each one is a small, meaningful way to add prayer, pause, and discipline to your day.
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Let's pray ...
Sub tuum praesidium - Under your protection, O Holy Mother of God, we place our needs today.
Help our hearts embrace each day with patience and steady faith.
Guide us to notice God’s presence, to trust His timing, and to grow in discipline and grace.
May we follow your example, Mary, of surrender, trust, and openness to God’s transforming work in our lives.
Amen.
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