When people start telling me that religious life is a “higher calling,” I tell them about my sister and how she lives her life — a working mom, with working husband and two beautiful kids — she is there for her family/relatives, friends, and colleagues and has the most wonderful sense of hospitality and creativity. Her life gives witness to Vocation.

So when you — Shannon and Mama — talk about what it’s like to be a parent, I’m reminded of my sister and want to tell you how awesome you are and how inspiring you are to me.

There are days, though, that the woods call out to me! But I just keep telling myself that the woods will always be there, but this time with my daughter won’t. I say a quick prayer and plunge back in.

How did you get so wise beyond your years?

For those of us that believe in “a personal God,” God calls each and every person in a different way. There are many ways to serve God- and God’s call can change over time.

Of course, as noted in Thomas Merton’s prayer (and many others like it), finding God’s true voice among all those “internal voices” in our head can be a challenge.

Thanks for the reference to My Monastery is a Minivan, it looks like a great book from the reviews I read (although one reviewer felt Loyola Press was not Catholic enough!).

Let me suggest one as well: The Spirituality of Imperfection by Ernest Kurtz (ISBN: 0553371320). I found it both enlightening and entertaining as the author uses many parables and stories.

Best wishes and prayers to all.