In our previous “Called and Listening” series, we talked about how to hear God’s voice and some tools to help you do that. But what about those moments when God’s voice becomes so obvious. We’re talking about those small, but life-changing moments when your eyes are opened, the paths are made clear, and you know that God is with you. Leading up to Advent, we’re treasuring those moments in our series called, “Celebrating Moments of Clarity.”
Today we look at how God helps us make big and small decisions and hear from Kathy Powell with the reminder that the gifts and tools of Ignatian discernment guide us to the path God asks of us.
I came to Becky’s Lenten Day of Reflection on discernment with a number of questions stirring in my heart. When Becky sent us to write our questions and walk through the steps of discernment she had just presented, I was ready.
I chose a pretty purple Sharpie and started writing a list of the questions I was holding. The first question I wrote was, “Should we grow our family?” As I finished writing the question, I heard a very clear voice in my head say, “That is not the right question right now.” I paused for a moment and continued on writing questions about what to spend our money on and what volunteer opportunities I should continue. When I finished my list, I stopped and re-visited the first question. It is not the right question right now. Really? It is not the right question right now. I sat with how that felt and it made sense.
For the last four months I had been wrestling with this question. My husband and I first talked on New Year’s Eve about the possibility of growing our family from 3 children to 4, but I couldn’t get through the conversation without crying. The tears fell so fully that we agreed to talk again at Easter and take the time until then for greater discernment. I wanted another child and my husband was not yet convinced. I figured that after 4 months of prayer, he would agree with me. Because, obviously that’s how this works. 😊 I hadn’t considered that it would go the other way – until the simple thought of, “It is not the right question right now.”
Instantly, the anguish I had when pondering this question ended. It just seemed so matter-of-fact. It is not the right time to be asking this question. Though I was disappointed, there was a tremendous peace – and no tears.
When the time came to have the follow-up conversation with my husband, the peace was still there and the tears were still absent. I knew that lasting peace is a sign of consolation and how God affirms that my choice was the right one for right now. At this moment, I know our right path is to nurture and love the children we have, but I am open to exploring it again at another time. It is simply not the right question right now.
Reflect:
- Register for my new online retreat that walks you through these questions of discernment to the joy, peace and clarity that Kathy now has. “Overwhelmed No More: 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life” brings the preached retreat experience to your email with content sent weekly for you to work through individually, on your own schedule.
- Read about more moments of clarity in our Spiritual Direction: Why I Make Time For It series, where friends share about the clarity they’ve received through spiritual direction. Mark your calendar for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, which allows you to meet one-on-one with a spiritual director everyday for 4 days.
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
- Calling Ministry Leaders: Check out my Advent Ministry Resources Newsletter.
- December 10: Women of the Well Evening of Reflection at St Patrick Church, Baton Rouge
- January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
- January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
- Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
,continueIn our previous “Called and Listening” series, we talked about how to hear God’s voice and some tools to help you do that. But what about those moments when God’s voice becomes so obvious. We’re talking about those small, but life-changing moments when your eyes are opened, the paths are made clear, and you know that God is with you. Leading up to Advent, we’re treasuring those moments in our series called, “Celebrating Moments of Clarity.”
Today we look at how God helps us make big and small decisions and hear from Kathy Powell with the reminder that the gifts and tools of Ignatian discernment guide us to the path God asks of us.
I came to Becky’s Lenten Day of Reflection on discernment with a number of questions stirring in my heart. When Becky sent us to write our questions and walk through the steps of discernment she had just presented, I was ready.
I chose a pretty purple Sharpie and started writing a list of the questions I was holding. The first question I wrote was, “Should we grow our family?” As I finished writing the question, I heard a very clear voice in my head say, “That is not the right question right now.” I paused for a moment and continued on writing questions about what to spend our money on and what volunteer opportunities I should continue. When I finished my list, I stopped and re-visited the first question. It is not the right question right now. Really? It is not the right question right now. I sat with how that felt and it made sense.
For the last four months I had been wrestling with this question. My husband and I first talked on New Year’s Eve about the possibility of growing our family from 3 children to 4, but I couldn’t get through the conversation without crying. The tears fell so fully that we agreed to talk again at Easter and take the time until then for greater discernment. I wanted another child and my husband was not yet convinced. I figured that after 4 months of prayer, he would agree with me. Because, obviously that’s how this works. 😊 I hadn’t considered that it would go the other way – until the simple thought of, “It is not the right question right now.”
Instantly, the anguish I had when pondering this question ended. It just seemed so matter-of-fact. It is not the right time to be asking this question. Though I was disappointed, there was a tremendous peace – and no tears.
When the time came to have the follow-up conversation with my husband, the peace was still there and the tears were still absent. I knew that lasting peace is a sign of consolation and how God affirms that my choice was the right one for right now. At this moment, I know our right path is to nurture and love the children we have, but I am open to exploring it again at another time. It is simply not the right question right now.
Reflect:
- Register for my new online retreat that walks you through these questions of discernment to the joy, peace and clarity that Kathy now has. “Overwhelmed No More: 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life” brings the preached retreat experience to your email with content sent weekly for you to work through individually, on your own schedule.
- Read about more moments of clarity in our Spiritual Direction: Why I Make Time For It series, where friends share about the clarity they’ve received through spiritual direction. Mark your calendar for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, which allows you to meet one-on-one with a spiritual director everyday for 4 days.
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
- Calling Ministry Leaders: Check out my Advent Ministry Resources Newsletter.
- December 10: Women of the Well Evening of Reflection at St Patrick Church, Baton Rouge
- January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
- January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
- Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
0 Comments