This isn't something that's been discussed much but I was wondering if any other future religious over here ever get just a little sad at the thought of not having children. I'm about as sure as I can be that I want to be a sister and I would do anything for Him, but...




Is this something that you eventually just get over?

there will be times you wished you had kids, but it is something that you could get over and but think of it this way, when your HIS, you have all the children you can imagine!!!! think about that!!!!

For myself, honestly I have no desire to have children. I love children but I helped with raising my two younger brothers and so I feel I have had my children. All that time, I had with brothers did give me "mother instinct" so much that I know what is meant to be a spiritual mother to others.

I love the celibate life and I wouldn't want another. There was a time when I did consider adoption but I wanted an older child because I would be a single parent. I figure my three brothers would give a strong male presence for my child.

The thought of not having a hubby or kids makes me sad sometimes, but honestly, I'm glad it does. There was a time when I was really blasé about the whole idea, and that was kind of disconcerting because I wondered if somehow I was just seeking the "easy way out" by seeking religous life (not that it is easy, but I became afraid that maybe I was trying to use it as an escape from the responsibilities of being a wife and mother.) This was purely a personal feeling. I mean to make no comments about anyone else's motivations.

The fact that the idea of no hubby/kids makes me a good bit sad is actually comforting because I can see myself offering the sacrifice of that desire of my heart. If it was something I'd never wanted anyway, giving it up wouldn't be a sacrifice, but as it is, I can offer that want to Him and know that, if I only seek His will, I will be filled with happiness and joy.

Doing God's will always requires us to make sacrifices and deny ourselves what we want. Some women who are called to religious life or single life don't have a desire for marriage and kids, and others do. For those who do, that's part of their sacrifice. It doesn't make those who wanted kids "holier" because they sacrificed more, nor does it make those who didn't "holier" because they didn't desire something that wasn't God's will for them.

Motherhood is a holy vocation. Some are called to it, some are not. Some who are not called to it desire it, some do not. It's all part of the unique way God speaks to each of our hearts.

I loooove kiddies. I will not post what I think here, but feel free to PM me. I will pray for you.

I used to want to have kids so bad when I was actively discerning in my twenties. I had alot of trouble with this one! Funny things is, I did not enter the convent and I just never could settle down with one man. So here I am at 52, not married, and no kids....crazy life! You NEVER, ever know what path is in store for you. You will just have to make a decision, what do I feel the most attraction to..being a wife and mother or becoming a religious. Sure, you could be a teacher and be surrounded by kids, but that is hardly the same as bearing and raising your own.
Pray on it. You have plenty of time to hash things through. The desire does fade in time, and you realize, again, in time, that you have made the right decision for you. Above all, fear not. The Lord gives abundantly, and He knows you very well and will lead you down the right path.

check out this thread. In it children and families are adressed very well.

-Yours in Christ
Lauren

Yes, yes, yes...it is very hard to know that I probably won't raise my own children. I love taking care of kids so much, and always thought I'd be a mother of twelve (at least!). However, it is a joy to know that Christ is calling me to spiritual motherhood, and I will meet those little ones in Eternity!

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN!!!!!! LOL, thats what came to my head when i read this!!!!! LOL!!!!
I so agree wth you, that it is the joy to the Lord is calling you or any of us to the spiritual motherhood!!! I am kinda like a mother to my little Sister who is 6 and then to my friend's children as well. I love the excitment they have when they see me, smiling happy faces that are screaming you name while running toward you!!!! However that is something a mother doesn't get all the time or at all from her own children!!!

Sometimes, I really, really want kids. I want to pick out their baptism names and daydream about all the pilgrimages I'd take them on, what devotions I'd teach them, about exactly how'd I'd go about making them Saints.

At other times (usually after a long teaching day), I tell myself that it's a good thing I'm going to (God-willing) be a Sister, because I'm not cut out for the 24 hour, no-sick-day, super-huge responsiblities, fears and heartaches that come with motherhood.

Also, as much as I love bambini, I have a strong desire to give the Lord my virginity.
I guess it figures that girls would have an attraction to both motherhood and virginity ... they are the two great vocations of women.

How blessed is Mama Maria, who has them both!