There is a saying that if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans. How many time have I made these big plans and then watched them change to something radically different? We all have plans that we make for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you says the Lord, plans for your welfare not for woe, plans to give you a future full of hope." God has a beautiful plan for us, we just have to be open to it.
My plans have been changed so many times. I applied for NET Ministries, not one, not two, but three times. And the third time I really did not want to even send in the application. I dated a guy who I had a crush on all throughout high school after 3 years of college. I thought he was a great Catholic guy because went to Franciscan University. But he was far from dream guy. I wanted to get a big girl job right after I left NET, but instead I worked for six months for my parents on our farm. I thought I was going to get married and have a million little catholic babies. Now I am not so sure about that.
For the past few months I am really been praying about the direction of my life. I have a full time job, a college degree, some really good friends, a car, and a little spending money but I just have been wanting more. I have been feeling this feeling of restlessness in my heart. I just feel I am made for MORE. I am been praying for the Lord to reveal his will to me to help my to find what I am aching for. The scripture that has spoken to me is Exodus 14 :14 "The LORD will fight for your: you have only to keep still."
KEEP STILL JESSICA! STAY WITH ME! TRUST IN ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOU HEART!
This is seriously what I was getting out of my prayer time for a good two weeks straight. "Be Still." And I was. I quietly waited for the Lord to reveal his heart to me.
Talking with friends, the wonder of Facebook, and the beautiful movement called Imagine Sisters (click to follow the link." I have been opened up to the possibility of a calling to the religious life. Particularly to the Franciscan Sisters TOR of the Penance of the Sorrowful Mother. Something about seeing pictures of them, reading about their community and way of life, has given me sense of peace. Check out their community HERE!! They are based out of Steubenville, Ohio.
Recently, I spoke to their vocation director and am scheduled to go on one of their discernment weekends in February. It is a scary thing. But it is also exciting. Do I know that I am called to the religious life?? Heck NO! But I know that the Lord is calling me to go and visit. And to see what happens.
This is my request from you. Please pray for me as I continue on this path. Pray for my discernment and openness to the Holy Spirit. I do not know what the future hold but I know that it will be FULL of HOPE!
