For nine years, I’d helped young women discern their vocation–whether they were called to religious life, married life, or the single life. I offered workshops and mini-courses on vocational discernment, discernment retreats, and individual vocational accompaniment. The intensity of others’ discernments helped me live the spiritual art of discernment much more mindfully. I was thrilled that I could focus on discernment so much, though I knew that I was just beginning to go deeper into living this profound spiritual art and practice. I was even asked to write a book about it—a book that I never got to.
Then I was transferred to another assignment–something very different from what I’d been doing. “No big deal,” I thought. I planned to continue discernment as an important part of my Pauline life. After all by this time, I’d been a religious sister living the vow of obedience for over twenty-five years.
But in a new and unfamiliar environment, the multitude of choices and decisions I faced daily made me feel paralyzed. When presented with several fantastic opportunities, I had no idea which one God was calling me to do. My prayer, dry at the time, didn’t shed any light. God made his presence felt, but not his desires, not his will. I felt as if I had no clue which opportunity or direction was truly his will. And just as I was realizing how inexpert I was in the art of discernment, I was once again asked if I would consider writing a book on discernment!
God often puts unexpected plot twists in the story of my life. This is not the first time that God has called me to grow in a certain area in my life by inviting me to write a book. So I’ve decided to give it a try. To create a true dialogue, to receive input from readers, and to make sure that I’m speaking to others’ real questions about discernment, I thought it would be great if I could blog the book first. And this blog, CoAuthorYourLifewithGod, was born.
Discernment has become a key part of my life because it leads me into greater alignment with God’s will, to live God’s story for me. Although I’ve spent a lot of time discerning and witnessing others’ discernments, I’m no expert. I still struggle with discerning how God is inviting me when I’m overwhelmed, afraid, or attached to having my way. The truth is that all of us can grow in this spiritual art of listening to the Lord’s invitations and striving to respond with a generous “yes!”
This blog gives us the opportunity to reflect on and grow in the spiritual art of discernment. Please ask questions, comment, and be active here on this blog—it’s for you! I’ll try to include opportunities to share, contests, and surveys that will make it fun to explore this important spiritual art, as we together seek to discover how we can listen more deeply and respond more generously to God’s loving call in our lives.
I’d really love to hear from you (in the comments box below or you can email me, too–just mention if you’d like me to keep your question anonymous):
- Why have you stopped by and visited this blog?
- What are you discerning?
- What questions do you have about discernment or growing in your relationship with God?
- What would you like to see here on this blog that would be helpful for you on your discernment journey?
Co-Author Your Life with God 
Sister, I too have been writing about discernment mainly because my writing, and putting things into the written word, helps me to see more clearly. Your blog piqued my interest because I am trying to discern God’s will for me at this time of my life. It’s funny….I think I know, then I realize the only thing I know is that I don’t know. Please continue to share your thoughts. I appreciate your input. Thank you!
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Connie,
Thank you for sharing your insights and reasons for visiting. Our Founder, Blessed James Alberione, once wrote that God gave him just enough light to take the next step…and no further. Founding the Pauline Family was a real journey of faith-steps (or leaps!) for him, and I guess that it is the same for us.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
God bless…
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I stopped by this blog cause i follow you on twitter and it looked like an open invite. What would help me is to see people in different stages of life questioning if they are on the path God wants them to be and an acknowledgement that my post was read. What am I discerning? Geeze, do I have an answer for that question. But first let me say that I was born the year our dear President was assassinated, so how could I have questions about what do i really want to do in life. Or what is it that God really wants me to be doing? After all I do know how to work. I worked in a factory for ten years. Boring, meaningless, hot in the summer, so so pay, and so so unrewarding. I transported sick and suffering heroin addicts and alcoholics for seven years for less than eight dollars an hour, but very rewarding. I filled cars with gas for 2 years, low pay, but no stress, but cold in the winter,, brrr.
So at this moment, today, as of yesterday, I quit my truck driving job. Not only did i quit yesterday, but I quit the same job 2 weeks ago. I had second thoughts since pay is $17.00 an hour and overtime rate is $25.50, that is if you can push your mind and body past it’s normal limits as each day is an average 14 hours plus bad road conditions, near misses from other drivers, people getting killed on the job site etc. etc. I called the boss and asked if I can have my job back. He returned my call in 15 minutes and said “Yes Angie, you were good to us, just don’t let me down again when we get a little snow on the ground. “Oh no,” i said, “I GOT THIS!
I grew up in a single parent household, youngest of five. We were poor. My mom worked tirelessly as a waitress at the local burger joint, so we were entitled to our welfare benefits.
So all my life I wanted to be a truck driver. I like the freedom riding down the road and enjoying God’s beautiful tapestry. My dad was a truck driver but he was never really in my life. And my cool and only brother drove truck. My dreams of becoming a truck driver were thwarted though from the multiple DUI and suspension violations (3) before the age of 23.
One day I called local job service and asked if they could help me get my CDL. After all, the D&A rehab i was driving for was sending me as far north as Maine and far south as Kentucky. After a few 15 hour days I realized that D&A rehabs are a business trying to make a lot of money before they are a hospital trying to help people with addiction problems. I was riding side by side with truckers crossing bridges and paying tolls anyway,, why not drive truck!
Because I am a veteran,, (9 months of service in the military is the minimum to be classified a vet), the job center paid for my school and I obtained my Class A License.
My first truck driving job paid $17.50 and hour and I grossed $34,000 in six months! I violated DOT regulation working that many hours and wrecked the truck. My only injury was a broken metatarcel, a.k.a boxer fracture, and the truck was a total loss. The ambulance took me to the hospital. Doctor was worried cause my lungs were bleeding from the blunt force trauma and I was spitting up cups of blood. The truck rolled and crashed thru guardrails, went down a bank and barelled over 2 nice size trees. As I was holding on for my dear life, I thought this is it., this is how I am going to die. I have no control of this truck as it crashed, banged it’s way to a stop! All I thought was please just let it be quick cause I know I’m not gonna survive as I helplessly waited for my life to end.
Now after 2 years I started a new job driving truck again. But the money is not so important to me as I thought it was. I get spooked easy now when I’m driving and I lost the confidence that is needed to drive 80,000 lbs down the highway.
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Angie,
It’s good to see you here, and I have been and will continue to pray for you as you discern your job and how God is inviting you to grow closer to him! Thank you for sharing your story.
God bless!
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