Some Words of Wisdom

I have been thinking and praying a lot about what the "next step" in my life will be. As much as I love working at INSTEP (and am totally in love with the children there) I know I won't have this job five years down the road...or even two years, most likely. The biggest challenge is trying to find the balance between living life in the present moment (not too difficult thanks to the kids, who have no sense of time...a beautiful quality I could write a whole essay about) and being open to answering whatever call God has for me next (a little more challenging because it's easy for me to get complacent.) I don't think there's a simple answer, and mostly it's about trusting in God and growing in faith. God wants us to be happy but not complacent. That said, here are some words that have really inspired me lately:

From Tristen, a dear friend and cool Catholic:

We have to remember that Jesus didn't start his public ministry until he was 30, so that's what my idea is...to try and have something figured out by 30. :) Just kidding. In this day and age, it seems like the possibilities are endless, but we just have to focus on what's most important - living out the will of God and living a life that will help others be led to Him, so we can reach heaven with those we love!

From Thomas Merton, spiritual writer and Trappist monk:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me
Nor do I really know myself,
And the fact that I think I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you
Does in fact please you.
And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always, though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
And you will never leave me to face my struggles alone.

From Mother Angelica, founder of EWTN and...well what you can say...I could write a book. (oh, someone already did! Read it!!!)

He expects me to operate, if I don't have the money, if I don't have the brains, if I don't have the talent -- in faith. You know what faith is? Faith is one foot on the ground, one foot in the air, and a queasy feeling in the stomach.