"Rules For Discerning A Vocation"

[fearundercontrol]

I came up with these a couple years ago, I think. I just thought I'd post them for amusement purposes. And hey maybe someone will find them useful.


Rules for Discerning a Vocation:

Rule #1: Pray.
Rule #2: Don't stress over it.
Rule #3: Pray.
Rule #4: Leave it in [i]God's[/i] hands, [i][b]not[/b][/i] yours. (I found that one out the hard way....)
Rule #5: Pray.
Rule #6: Stay open. (I suppose that kind of goes hand-in-hand with Rule #4.)
Rule #7: Pray.
Rule #8: Get a spiritual director.
Rule #9: Pray.
Rule #10: Frequent the Sacraments.
Rule #11: Pray.
Rule #12: Read the Scriptures.
Rule #13: Pray.
Rule #14: Don't argue with God. It doesn't work, and it doesn't help any.
Rues #15-∞: Pray.

[HeavenlyCalling]

Cool, I like those.

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='fearundercontrol' post='1139247' date='Dec 10 2006, 12:56 PM']
Rule #14: Don't argue with God. It doesn't work, and it doesn't help any.

[/quote]

Yep. We stubborn people learn [i]that[/i] one the hard way, too

[veroni213]

[quote name='fearundercontrol' post='1139247' date='Dec 10 2006, 12:56 PM']

Rule #14: Don't argue with God. It doesn't work, and it doesn't help any.

[/quote]

Argue? I would never do such a thing. I "negotiate"....

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='TrueImage' post='1139319' date='Dec 10 2006, 04:48 PM']
Argue? I would never do such a thing. I "negotiate"....
[/quote]
I'm with ya sista.

[bmb144]

[quote name='fearundercontrol' post='1139247' date='Dec 11 2006, 04:56 AM']
Rule #14: Don't argue with God. It doesn't work, and it doesn't help any.
[/quote]


What about healthy discussion with a raised voice...... :

[Lounge Daddy]

gosh... a lot of praying involved

I thought for a time about the Deaconate ...but after some prayer, I think not...esp at this time, while I am struggling with my alcoholism

However, I have an 11-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter talking about the religious life

[Jennifer]

I fully agree with Rule # 2... but why stress?. As for Rule #14... I would never argue with God... he would always win.!!

[Starets]

I've found silent retreats helpful as well

[Tina44]

That is a great list. If I only had that like a year ago, it would have made discernment ALOT easier!

I agree whole-heartedly with everything on there! Can I add "Don't try to run! Because God WILL catch up with you!"

[gelibeme]

Okay, I know that the religious vocation is for me, but, I need help in seeing who to share this with, who can help me find out what kind of community I am drawn to. I find your list helpful. And yea, God is pretty persistent, he keeps leaving little road marks to indicate this is the right calling for you. Know what I mean?

[onlygrace08]

[quote name='fearundercontrol' post='1139247' date='Dec 10 2006, 12:56 PM']
Rule #14: Don't argue with God. It doesn't work, and it doesn't help any.

[/quote]


[quote name='Totus Tuus' post='1139315' date='Dec 10 2006, 04:33 PM']
Yep. We stubborn people learn [i]that[/i] one the hard way, too
[/quote]


Yikes!! I definitely struggle with that!!!

[Guest Aweredersome]

[quote name='gelibeme' post='1139792' date='Dec 11 2006, 01:47 PM']
Okay, I know that the religious vocation is for me, but, I need help in seeing who to share this with, who can help me find out what kind of community I am drawn to. I find your list helpful. And yea, God is pretty persistent, he keeps leaving little road marks to indicate this is the right calling for you. Know what I mean?
[/quote]

GET A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR!!! perhaps a parish priest, or someone in your church who you can confide with. they'll help you and pray for you.

[Tina44]

I agree. Spiritual directors definitely help. ALOT!!!! When I was discerning and looking into communities, I thought about what ministry I might want to be in. The community I am applying to, The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, are in teaching. That was something that I had been thinking about for awhile, that I might want to teach. Sometimes it helps if you look into the different communities' ministries and where they serve, and that can help make your decision.