Much can be said (and written) about seeking God’s blessings and seeking God’s ways. Countless questions about God and directed to God have been uttered — what is the meaning in life, my life? how can I give my life to God? what is God like? where is God? does God hear me, notice me?
Sometimes, when pursuing one of these Big Questions, we stumble upon blessings that we did not intentionally seek. For example, way back when, I spent time discerning how God was calling me to use my gifts in the world as a Catholic sister. I was happily committed in my life as a sister but was still trying to find my place in the world in regards to form or context of ministry. Through prayer, conversations with my sisters, retreat, and simply trying new things, I began moving toward a kind of “answer” to what I was seeking. In the midst of all that discernment, that “figuring out” where God was leading me, there were some unexpected blessings.
Like blogging.
I started a simple little blog more as a hobby and to learn more about Internet technologies. I had no expectations for the blog other than it would help me learn a few tricks. I certainly did not expect that I would be working full-time with the A Nun’s Life website and community some 3+ years later! The blog was one of those blessings I stumbled upon while I was trying to pursue this other question of what work I wanted to commit myself to as an IHM Sister. It seemed irrelevant at the time, a mere distraction, yet it was and continues to be a great blessing that has taken me, and my original question, to a new place.
What “blessing stumbled upon” have you had in life? In what ways is God calling you to not necessarily answer your original question but simply to live out of the new place in which you find yourself?
Footnote: Thoughts today inspired by Teresa of Avila
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Join Sister Maxine, the A Nun’s Life community, and me for Praying with the Sisters podcast at 6 p.m. Central Time tonight (your time zone).
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For some time I’ve been pondering the difference between my strong and genuine desire to go out and save the world, and the people and situations closer to home that desperately need love and help. Which is the more genuine call? Is one type of service – for example, charity work abroad – better than another – for example, being a constant and selfless friend to the people around me at college and at home. Is one type of service more pleasing to God? Is one type of service more loving, selfless, sacrificial?
Was it Mother Teresa who said that it is easy to love people who are far away, but much harder to love those in your immediate environment?
What I’m beginning to see, as I ’scale down’ my ambitions to save the world and am trying to concentrate on my friends, family, and town, is that there are quite enough crosses to be carrying as it is. You don’t have to go abroad to find suffering, heartbreak, starvation, and the rotting and the stink of the world. It’s very humbling.
x M.
Mother Teresa once remarked that, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. When I was younger, the one thing i NEVER wanted to be was a teacher. For a number of years I was a member of a religious order which, among other things, trained teachers! I went to seminary, received my Masters, followed the road to priesthood, then, for reasons beyond my control, found my self no longer on that road. So, for 20 years I have been a junior high school theology teacher! (so much for time in Purgatory). It is not how I pictured my life, but the blessings have been such that I will never be able to give enough thanks, for I have the opportunity to be both a teacher and a student every day.
Tom,
I’m right there with you. I considered getting a teaching certificate in college, but decided I really didn’t want to teach (so, having a degrees in English, I did the only other thing I could–became a librarian!) I resisted this for years, but ending up as a substitute teacher–a perfect option for me as I continue my seminary studies. I enjoy the challenge of doing new things every day, but knowing the same kids. They are invigorating, frustrating, exciting and annoying, but I love them all. I actually look forward to teaching confirmation classes and Sunday School because of the joy I get from teaching. Ironic, isn’t it?