I came to the realization recently, in my countdown to age 30, that I’ve spent a substantial amount of time these past ten years trying to figure out just what I wanted to be. Heck, I’ve spent the better part of these past two weeks deciding what exactly I wanted to write about. Indecisiveness is easily in my characterization bracket. And if I know myself well enough, I’ll probably change my mind once I start typing.
For many, the dream of being a teacher, a police officer, firefighter, doctor, lawyer, professional athlete, etc. etc., began at a really young age. The dreams happened for me, too. At age 7, I wanted to be a teacher. By 11 or so, an architect.
When I realized my senior year of high school that I could barely get through pre calculus, that idea went out the window. I almost joined the Marine Corps in early 2001.
I started nursing pre requisetes in 2002. By 2005, I was so scatterbrained that I went back to school to finish a degree. And during and after that, I’ve worked another several jobs in various fields doing various things. All with hopes that I would find clarification.
What was it that I am supposed to be?
I was confused and things were tough. I was mentally exhausted from over thinking every. little. detail. But at the same time, I knew there must be something out there that is right for me.
And so finally, I did it. I asked God. I started praying constantly,
“What do you want of me, Lord?”
Sure enough around that time, my husband entered the picture. We married in July of 2008, and assumed we would “settle” into life for a while and wish for children after we’ve had time to “enjoy” being married. (Ya know, I’m still trying to figure this one out…….)
But we all know what happens when we make plans. God laughs at them and makes his own. When I saw the faintest of faint pink line on a First Response only six weeks later, I actually cried. I remember wondering how God could possibly entrust the care of a child to me already.
But He did.
God gave us a child and made me a mother! Here I was for years trying to decide for myself but He knew me best.
He wanted me to be a mom.
I remember the worry that followed. What will I do about work, how will we afford daycare, where will I deliver? We had just spent months planning the wedding and things turned into babyland really fast. And then our son was born.
What’s crazy is I don’t quite know when it hit me. I spent so much of my pregnancy distracted by the website, Babycenter, that I kept myself in denial. Sure, we were having a baby, and of course we were happy and excited, but little did I know…
He changed everything. All of a sudden light bulbs went off. I didn’t want to go back to work. I didn’t want to leave him. I just wanted to be a mother.
And I am.
A lot has changed in three years. We now have a daughter also, and I work nights waitressing. But I feel like I’m where I need to be.
It made me realize that I had spent so much time worrying about a career that my vocation took a backseat. Because once I finally “Let Go and Let God,” He put me just where He needed me to be.
Our Blessed Mother said, “I am the Handmaid of the Lord; Let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
I’ve often felt the same way about what to do with my life….I actually did even serve in the Navy for five years! Three months after my husband and I were married, we found out we were pregnant. Three and a half years later we have a two year old, one year old, and one on the way. I know now, I am exactly where I am supposed to be! At home with my sweet babies! 🙂 Very much enjoyed your article!
Jeanne, your blog post gave me chills! I have a hard time with “Let Go, Let God” sometimes, but I know it always turns out that He knows best. (Duh, I know, but I still keep “forgetting” 😉
What a beautiful reflection. Career vs vocation. I think we can get lost in this and end up paying a large price (like the masters degree we have to struggle to pay the loans for every month but that I have no interest – or call – in using:)
Oh, and don’t put that “just” in front of being a mom 🙂 So glad you are open to hearing the call of the Lord, you’ve got it more figured out that you thought!
Beautiful!
I’m *still* trying to figure that question out… while working full time and pregnant with #4…
I think it’s an on-going reflection that is never truly satisfied until we rest at last with Him!
I was just talking with my babysitter about the way I arrived at my vocation as a mom. I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but I didn’t quite know how to get there and the secular world had me convinced that I had to be something other than “just a mom.” The mindset was that a mother was a part time gig and the thing that defines you is your career. I remember being afraid that I was supposed to be a sister or a nun. But, now that I know so many happy consecrated women, I know that when God calls you, you will not be afraid, you will be full of joy. And, now that I am a married mom of many, I know that I am right where I am supposed to be and right where I have wanted to be since I was a little girl. Thanks, Jeanne for sharing your story!
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. It’s true. There are very few jobs that have cosmic influence, but a mother touches not only her own children, but the lives of all those her children touch. We need to make sure we are as close to God as possible so our touch has the scent of heaven in it. God bless all moms and grandmoms that we might be the best apostles for life and love that we can be.