Celebrating Moments of Clarity: Right for Right Now

Discernment

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November 25, 2019

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:  

Have you ever had a moment of clarity like Kathy experienced?  How did God affirm your choice?  Kathy shared she knew path was right by extended peace and lack of tears.  How do you experience Gods voice in your life?
Go Deeper?  

Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ: 

 

,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:  

Have you ever had a moment of clarity like Kathy experienced?  How did God affirm your choice?  Kathy shared she knew path was right by extended peace and lack of tears.  How do you experience Gods voice in your life?
Go Deeper?  

Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ: 

 

Kathy, a big-picture thinker and passionate nonprofit and faith-based communications professional, lives in Roswell, Georgia with her husband Kent and three children. When not brainstorming up new ways to push Becky out of her comfort zone, Kathy spends her free time reminding her kids to use their inside voices, cooking without recipes, and walking with families who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.

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