Help for the Discerning?

[Aureole]

I thought it would be helpful to all those who are discerning God’s will to have a thread dedicated solely to discernment. This way the forum community could share information to aid in discernment; personal stories, readings, reflections, prayers, advice, whatever! And those who are discerning could get together, ask questions, offer prayers, offer encouragement, etc.

For those already past the major discernment of their life, come in and share your thoughts! For those still in the discernment process, come in and share your thoughts!

So what do you all think? Anyone care to get the ball rolling (I would but I’m both immensely shy and don’t want to punish everyone right off with my boring story. I’d like to see the thread start to thrive, then maybe I’ll share. You could, if you want, consider that a kind of “prize”)?

A prayer for discernment:

O Lord
I do not know what to ask you.
You alone know my real needs,
and you love me more
than I even know how to love.

Enable me to discern my true needs
which are hidden from me.

I ask for neither cross nor consolation;
I wait in patience for you.

My heart is open to you.

For your great mercy’s sake,
come to me and help me.

Put your mark on me and heal me,
cast me down and raise me up.

Silently I adore your holy will
and your inscrutible ways.

I offer myself in sacrifice to you
and put all my trust in you.

I desire only to do your will.

Teach me how to pray
and pray in me, yourself.

 

[computerguy]

I think that would be a great idea! I too am discerning, but still, i’m too shy to get the ball rolling too…

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

Well, I’m also very shy and anti-social…but that doesn’t seem to bother me as much in a network where noone knows who I am So a while back I started a blog . Nothing much happened with it or my discerning, but I continued to pray “Lord please let me know Your will.” Then one day I changed to “Lord, please let me be always doing Your will…even if I have no clue what it is”. It wasn’t much later that I suddenly knew I was going to be a Dominican Sister…eh…somewhere.

I’ve since added two posts to the blog, the first as a story post and the second a complaint against non-habit wearing communities

Since I know the Lord wants me to be researching Dominican sisters…and I suppose visiting and…gasp…calling people. I did force myself to sign up for a retreat at the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist at the end of this month; it looks like it will be a great!

 

[Mordocai]

Yeah I’ve been feelin like I need to check out the Legionaries of Christ. Definitely my cup of tea, but I mean…then I’d have to cut my hair, (almost can put it in a pony tail, a few more weeks) lol and that’s not good. Maybe I could join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and be like Fr. Stan Fortuna, and just have really long hair.

Like the sterotypical “o look he’s got Jesus hair! har har har!” or “hey you look like Jesus! haha! I am original!”

If I can’t always act like him
well then I’m gonna look like him.

Mordo

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

See my Meditation on Listening to God

 

[Dr.Bombay]

Discernment. That’s a scary word. For me anyway.

I’ve felt the tug for many years. And I’ve always ignored it or run away. I spent a good many years living like a heathen, tho I never lost my faith. Why God never took His gift of faith away from me, I’ll never know. But I’m so grateful that He didn’t. I love my faith and my Church.

Anyway, since I’ve started practicing my faith again in the past few years, that “still, small voice” in my heart has become something like a loud, commanding shout. It’s funny, but I always had an excuse of one type or another why I couldn’t follow God. Mainly because I was happier (I thought) being led by other things. Now we come to this point in my life. I have no bills to speak of. No emotional attachments to females. No children. No schooling to worry about. It’s like I’ve come thru this hideous, arduous journey over mountains, thru valleys, over raging rivers, thick forests and barren deserts. And now, I’ve come to this point. I see no obstacles of any kind in front of me. It’s a smooth, clear path. I can see my goal. In fact, it’s so close I can almost touch it. And yet…I hesitate.

Why? Well…that’s what I’m going to be trying to discover this year while I meet with a good priest every two weeks for spiritual direction and discernment. I’m already learning some uncomfortable things about myself that are disturbing, yet revealing. Llike, for instance, that I’m way too focused on me. (Count the number of "I"s in this post.)

So…will I become a priest? If it’s God’s will, yes. If not, I still have my faith and that’s the greatest gift God has given me.

 

[Aureole]

Lady Cygnus:

So a while back I started a blog

For some reason your link isn’t working for me. Maybe it’s just my computer being silly? Does it work for anyone else?
Lady Cygnus:

It wasn’t much later that I suddenly knew I was going to be a Dominican Sister…eh…somewhere.

That’s beautiful, thank you for sharing that.
Lady Cygnus:

Since I know the Lord wants me to be researching Dominican sisters…and I suppose visiting and…gasp…calling people. I did force myself to sign up for a retreat at the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist at the end of this month; it looks like it will be a great!

I, too, have had the problem of contacting the people in the know about his sort of thing. I was so nervous about it that I kept putting it off. Finally I mentioned it to my priest and he told me to get in contact with the Director of Vocations for my diocese. Taking that first step was hard, but it has been such a blessed step. I thank God every day for giving me the grace to tell my priest that day. I still don’t know what my vocation is, but I’ve met so many wonderful people and had so many spiritual blessings. It’s been wonderful! God bless you for taking your first steps.

Mordocai:

Yeah I’ve been feelin like I need to check out the Legionaries of Christ.

I got to meet someone who was with the Legionnaires for a year. He loved every last minute of it, but in the end he felt that their order wasn’t for him.

Mordocai:

Definitely my cup of tea, but I mean…then I’d have to cut my hair, (almost can put it in a pony tail, a few more weeks) lol and that’s not good. Maybe I could join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and be like Fr. Stan Fortuna, and just have really long hair.

Yeah, I’d run into that exact same problem. My hair is quite long (It goes to about my hips) so it would be kind of painful to be rid of it. Then again, if that’s what God wants then that’s what I’ll do.

Mordocai:

If I can’t always act like him
well then I’m gonna look like him.

That’s exactly my thoughts! Wow, that’s kind of scary… Someone out there who thinks the same things as me.
T.A.Stobie:

See my Meditation on Listening to God

Thanks for that!
Dr. Bombay:

Discernment. That’s a scary word. For me anyway.

It is a scary word, I must agree.
Dr. Bombay:

I’ve felt the tug for many years. And I’ve always ignored it or run away. I spent a good many years living like a heathen, tho I never lost my faith. Why God never took His gift of faith away from me, I’ll never know. But I’m so grateful that He didn’t. I love my faith and my Church.

Anyway, since I’ve started practicing my faith again in the past few years, that “still, small voice” in my heart has become something like a loud, commanding shout. It’s funny, but I always had an excuse of one type or another why I couldn’t follow God. Mainly because I was happier (I thought) being led by other things. Now we come to this point in my life. I have no bills to speak of. No emotional attachments to females. No children. No schooling to worry about. It’s like I’ve come thru this hideous, arduous journey over mountains, thru valleys, over raging rivers, thick forests and barren deserts. And now, I’ve come to this point. I see no obstacles of any kind in front of me. It’s a smooth, clear path. I can see my goal. In fact, it’s so close I can almost touch it. And yet…I hesitate.

Why? Well…that’s what I’m going to be trying to discover this year while I meet with a good priest every two weeks for spiritual direction and discernment. I’m already learning some uncomfortable things about myself that are disturbing, yet revealing. Llike, for instance, that I’m way too focused on me. (Count the number of "I"s in this post.)

So…will I become a priest? If it’s God’s will, yes. If not, I still have my faith and that’s the greatest gift God has given me.

Wow, thank you so much for sharing that! I have to say that I’ve experienced many of the same things as you. I think I also share in your problem, often I catch myself focussing on myself far too much (See what I mean?)

So, I’ve decided that I’m going to include St. Francis de Sales’ Finding God’s Will for You in my book collection shortly. I plan to read it shortly after I get it, which will hopefully be soon. Has anyone else read it? Does anyone else have a book recommendation?

 

[Dr.Bombay]

Aureole:

Wow, thank you so much for sharing that! I have to say that I’ve experienced many of the same things as you. I think I also share in your problem, often I catch myself focussing on myself far too much (See what I mean?)

So, I’ve decided that I’m going to include St. Francis de Sales’ Finding God’s Will for You in my book collection shortly. I plan to read it shortly after I get it, which will hopefully be soon. Has anyone else read it? Does anyone else have a book recommendation?

In the past few months, I’ve started reading In Conversation with God by Francis Fernandez. It’s a 7 volume set, but can be purchased individually. These are short (about 10 minute) meditations that I read every morning. They follow the liturgical calendar, Ordinary Time, Feast days, Lent, Advent, everything. It’s amazing how insightful these meditations are. Sometimes, it’s almost as if the author is speaking directly to me and some of the issues I’m dealing with in my life.

My pastor is offering a spiritual theology class every other week and we’re studying St. Francis de Sales Introduction to the Devout Life. One of the things St. Francis preached was don’t strive for the big things but strive to do the small things in your state of life. This is something that really made me ponder, because even if I’m not called to the religious life, I’m still called to be a saint in whatever I do.

 

[Aureole]

Dr. Bombay:

In the past few months, I’ve started reading In Conversation with God by Francis Fernandez.

I’ve managed to read some of these as well, though my exposure has been much more limited. An old teacher of mine had two copies of one book and decided she would give me her extra, it’s the Lent/Eastertide one. I did read them for a few days but then I dropped the ball. I have to agree with you, sometimes I felt like the author was speaking to me and it wasn’t me reading the words. They really are wonderful and insightful meditations. Perhaps this Lent I’ll pick it up and decide to get the whole set?
Dr. Bombay:

My pastor is offering a spiritual theology class every other week and we’re studying St. Francis de Sales Introduction to the Devout Life. One of the things St. Francis preached was don’t strive for the big things but strive to do the small things in your state of life. This is something that really made me ponder, because even if I’m not called to the religious life, I’m still called to be a saint in whatever I do.

St. Francis seems to have a knack for getting people to ponder; he’s got me pondering something akin to your own musings. I think I’m going to enjoy Finding God’s Will for You.

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

Aureole:

For some reason your link isn’t working for me. Maybe it’s just my computer being silly? Does it work for anyone else?

I’m not sure why…but it’s thenorthercross.blogspot.com

I, too, have had the problem of contacting the people in the know about his sort of thing. I was so nervous about it that I kept putting it off. Finally I mentioned it to my priest and he told me to get in contact with the Director of Vocations for my diocese. Taking that first step was hard, but it has been such a blessed step. I thank God every day for giving me the grace to tell my priest that day. I still don’t know what my vocation is, but I’ve met so many wonderful people and had so many spiritual blessings. It’s been wonderful! God bless you for taking your first steps.

This reminded me of an event that happened about a year ago, when the idea of discernment was first put in my mind.

First a little background, it’s next to impossible for me to go up and introduce myself to someone new, even going up to people I know can be a challenge at times. Once I get to know people…um really really well, I’m usually fine, but before then I get very nervous and almost always back down.

Last year I was going through some rough times and was very depressed. One week after Sunday Mass I felt a strong urge to talk with someone and was going to try pulling a priest aside; however, as mentioned above, I couldn’t quite pull this off and ended up walking out of the Church. As I was walking home the little nagging voice only got worse; I felt that I must turn around and talk with someone. About a half mile out I basically threw up my hands and said “Fine, I’ll head back, but I bet no one is there anymore!”

I turned around and headed back to the church and, as predicted, the priests had already left; however, this was the same week that the novitiate friars were visiting the parish. They were gathered in the foyer preparing to take a walking tour of the town and I stood off to the side debating going up and talking to them. I had no clue what I would say, but I still had this powerful voice inside me telling me to talk. Alas, although this voice got me back to the church, it couldn’t get me to speak up, I’d gone completely tharn. After what seemed like an eternity one of the brothers walked over and asked if I was ok. I mentioned needing to talk to someone and he immediately changed his plans and pulled me aside. We talked for about three hours and it was during this talk that he mentioned the religious life. At that time I felt it would be running away and promptly dismissed it.

At the time I realized that it was a blessing, but I had no idea of how great. Over the last year we’ve kept in contact on and off and he’s been the most wonderful help. Often he would send an email right when I needed it the most, sometimes with nothing more than his thoughts about life. For example, right before Christmas, when I’d been seriously discerning for a while, but not told him, he sent a letter with this thoughts on his discernment process. Something in it just clicked at the time and helped me to move forward and contact a priest.

So I suppose the moral is that the Holy Spirit will work wonders, you only have to take the first, sometimes painful, steps. I felt that going back to the church that day was like walking into a firing range and once I got there talking was out of the question. But all I had to do was get there, once there the Spirit worked in the heard of this brother and has been continuing to work through him ever since.

God bless you on your journey, I hope you continue making those steps as well!

 

[Aureole]

Lady Cygnus:

I’m not sure why…but it’s thenorthercross.blogspot.com

Thank you, it works now. Your posts are absolutely glorious, thank you for posting them and providing the link for us here.
Lady Cygnus:

This reminded me of an event that happened about a year ago, when the idea of discernment was first put in my mind.

Sometimes I wish I had that “little nagging voice”. Maybe I do and I’m simply not listening? Oh well, I’ll figure it out eventually. Then I’ll be able to tell when that “little nagging voice” was telling me all along. Thank you, I think I ought to share my own discernment story. I just want to now, I’m not sure why. I’ll have to do it later though, as right now I should be getting ready for school.
Lady Cygnus:

God bless you on your journey, I hope you continue making those steps as well!

Thank you, I’m looking into a pre-theologate program at Franciscan University of Steubenville. I’m not sure that I’m at that level in my discernment, but I’ll see where the Lord takes me.

God bless you.

 

[Aureole]

My apologies that I haven’t shared my own story yet, as I said I would have by now. I haven’t had the opportunity to do so as yet, and won’t be able to tonight either unfortunately. I’ll share it as soon as I’m able to though.

 

[Shoshana]

We have a Perpetual Prayer for Priests/Seminarians/Consecrated life thread going on in this forum…would you want me to install your names as you discern your path? Computerguy is already on the list and so is Dums. You only have to give me permission and I will add you all to the list…to-morrow though…

 

[Aureole]

Shoshana:

We have a Perpetual Prayer for Priests/Seminarians/Consecrated life thread going on in this forum…would you want me to install your names as you discern your path? Computerguy is already on the list and so is Dums. You only have to give me permission and I will add you all to the list…to-morrow though…

I’ve seen the thread you mention. I’ve never thought of asking someone else for prayers, I don’t know why exactly. I would very much appreciate it, thank you for suggesting it Shoshana.

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

Aureole:

I’ve seen the thread you mention. I’ve never thought of asking someone else for prayers, I don’t know why exactly. I would very much appreciate it, thank you for suggesting it Shoshana.

I’ve never thought about asking others for prayers either, it would be interesting to determine why (forgetfulness, pride, fear…). Yes, thank you Shoshana, I’d appreciate it as well

 

[Aureole]

Lady Cygnus:

I’ve never thought about asking others for prayers either, it would be interesting to determine why (forgetfulness, pride, fear…). Yes, thank you Shoshana, I’d appreciate it as well

I think it would be slightly frightening for us to ask for prayers. We may actually hear God! We can’t have that! What could He know about us?