This week was my first week back at work and I'm happy to say that I was looking forward to it, until......

Just kidding, I had a really good week at work. It also included a casual conversation that turned confrontational. No, it wasn't feisty or cryfest-confrontational, it was more because the conversation stirred something personal that I've been avoiding. Here's somewhat how the conversation went:

Imagine a small kitchen area with seats and tables for only about 10 people to sit in cosily. Three women, including myself, naturally having lunch and exchanging pleasantries about how the holidays were and how the weather was at the time. I was happily eating my arroz caldo (a filipino dish) when suddenly a deep question was put on the table.

Woman A: So [insert woman B name], how did your family react to you becoming a religious sister?
Woman B answered without hesitation

At this point I was thinking: Wow such a deep question out of nowhere and it's only 1pm... I love this!!

We each exchanged some stories of friends who had chosen the religious-consecrated life and then I got up to clean my dishes. After a moment of silence (the air filled with pondering) I couldn't contain myself to ask,

Raimie: Do you think people can "miss" the calling to their vocation? I think of people who ignore the tuggings of their heart to what they feel called to do in life, or those who are too afraid to pursue it, or too indecisive to try... Can people live without fulfilling their vocation?  (Referring to single blessedness/ married life/ religious life)

Woman B/ Sister B: Yes, I believe so. Without sounding like I know what God does and why, I think that God calls us for a certain period of time and we can only reject him so much until he stops calling us to that one vocation. He never stops loving us and calling us to him, but in terms of vocation there is a unique period of time for each of us that God calls us to our vocation. People can just ignore it and keep living where they are comfortable, etc... And the conversation went on.

So on the outside, I was genuinely listening trying to take it all in. But on the inside I was almost panicking! LOL. Initially I disagreed but I didn't say it, who disagrees with a lovely nun?? I really struggled to accept or understand her answer. But the more I thought about it this bible verse came to mind: there's a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3). 

I really believe deep down we all know we were made for something greater. Everyone has this inkling whether they believe in a God or not. Everyone knows they were made for something greater.

I think that conversation was confrontational for me because I had forgotten about pursuing my vocation. Maybe I was caught up in work, getting fat over Christmas and being on holiday mode. But this conversation confronted me this week:
More than discovering the world and the beauty it has to offer, discover yourself and what you have to offer. Take time to know you and your vocation. Pursue it. When you have that inkling, take courage with a teaspoon of YOLO and go for it. There's a window of opportunity waiting for you, but it won't always be there. 

There's a bit of my undigested thoughts that came from that lunchtime conversation. I hope you find encouragement to take the next step for your vocation in life :) I'm definitely going to try this year.

With love,

Raimz

x

----- DVD Extras -----
Current Spotify playlist: 90s RNB
Something I will find this year to help discover my vocation: A spiritual director
Recent hobbies: Watercolour painting and 3D puzzles
Something I had to explain to workmates this week: "On fleek"
My myer-briggs personality type: ENFP