Xandria, welcome to the Catholic Church.
You are probably right. You probably do know more about the Catholic Church than most cradle Catholics. I am finding that the strength of any parish is often the converts they have.
I was a lot like most cradle Catholics for a long time-figuring I had learned what I needed to know and I did what was necessary and no more. It turned out not to be enough for me and I did a little less than enough for awhile. When I turned things around, I studied voraciously, especially the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I knew a lot, but not enough to know how little I really knew.
Every day I learn a little more about what God wants from us; and I try a little harder to do it, realizing that I can’t do anything without Him. I learned that the little things close to me are the most important, and they provide the biggest challenge. I try to figure out how to live my vocation as a wife and mother and grandmother and daughter and sibling.:juggle:
I have been fairly successful in other areas and you can usually see that clearly. However, the little things that are hardest to do, are harder to feel successful about. Without that gratification it is even harder.
What I need to practice my faith is:
- A good prayer life so that I keep in touch with God and His will for me.
- A support network to help keep me on the right path. (The Church and some kind of close group within it)
- One activity to share my gifts with the Catholic community. (It gives me more immediate reinforcement to help me stay positive in my struggle to accomplish the subtler activities.)
May God bless you in your search for ways to serve Him. May the Holy Spirit provide wisdom to aid in your discernment. And may you always experience th joy of belonging to Christ’s family.
