#marriage vocation

[laviapequena]

While listening to the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast about The Good News of Mary (Rebroadcast), the phrase that resonated with me was when the angel of God told Joseph, 'Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.' Joseph's human side was evident when he considered divorcing Mary upon learning of her pregnancy, without understanding the circumstances. However, what made him extraordinary was his acceptance of Mary and her Child, driven by his profound faith in God. He prioritized obedience to God over personal plans, dreams, and ambitions, allowing himself to be redirected. A man can only perform noble act of humility and trust if he has faith in God.

Through the intercession of Mary, St. Joseph, St. Josemaría Escrivá, and St. Raphael the Archangel, may those discerning the vocation of marriage find their Mary and Joseph, the partners who will lead them closer to Jesus, to the Church, and to the Kingdom of Heaven, embracing marriage and family as a domestic church and a path to holiness.

[laviapequena]

You know if you love the person when..

He supports me to grow morally and spiritually. He doesn't hinder to things that develop me, and the endeavors I do for my morality and spirituality. Instead, he joins me to cheer me up. He prioritizes God. He leads me by his examples and his way of life.

He develops matured decisions, physical, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. He does not compete with me, but rather, complements with me. Relationship isn't a competition; but a teamwork. Despite our differences in strengths and weaknesses, he may see it as an opportunity to nurture us, not as threats to himself.

I can be safe and secured, confident and comfortable, and be felt accepted regardless of who I was and who I can become.

[jesusrox10-blog]

Roughly a year and a half ago, I was realizing that God was not calling me to consecrated religious life. Prior to that, I felt sure I was meant to be a nun. But one day, I woke up with the burning desire to be a nun, gone. I was upset for a while, continued to discern God's Will for my life, and felt like maybe I'd done something wrong and He was rejecting me. I soon realized, however, that that was not the case. I had simply completed the milestones he wanted me to complete by placing in my heart the desire to devote my life wholly to him, to forgo all earthly things for His sake. I grew and learned and became a better Catholic, and I believe that's why He wanted me to think I was called to be a nun. I learned to surrender to His Will more than I would have otherwise. A few months after accepting this change in my future, I began wanting to date, but it didn't work out how I wanted. I tried the "just for fun" relationship thing and realized what a mistake that is for someone who has a vocation to marriage. So, I decided not to date unless the person could feasibly be my future spouse. That meant on fire for God, an understanding of what love is- the action, the choice, not the feeling- and general compatibility with plans and personality types. I wanted to stop being open to damaging, pointless, unholy relationships. So, I prayed for a man to marry who will lead me closer to Christ, who understands love, a man that would be praying for a woman of God. I asked for this in God's time, but if it was in line with His Will, preferably within a couple years, I asked, trying to be patient. Two weeks later, I met D. He is everything I asked for and more. Am I too sure too fast, according to societal standards- yup, unquestionably. But this is why: He is an answer to my prayers, and I an answer to his. And we are to know something by its fruits, and the fruit of D and I being together is a better prayer life and relationship with God, not to mention happiness (as well as sleep deprivation from talking all night, every night...) We encourage and lift each other up in Christ.