More often than not, I get a lot of sideways looks and underthebreath chuckles from people when the possibility of me becoming a Sister is brought up in conversation. I've gotten a lot of "Sister Courtney" jokes and elbows in my side whenever religious life is mentioned. The sad thing is that most people don't even understand what it means to be a Sister, heck, I don't even know everything I should about it! I guess maybe it's the negative stigma that society has associated with nuns, but a lot of people think I'm crazy for even considering it. The older I'm getting, the more condescending peoples' reactions are getting. Here are some of the most common lines I hear from people...
"People still do that?"
Yes, why yes they do.
"That means you'll never have sex."
That's right. I understand that. I've made it 18 years so far, I think I can manage.
"Normal people don't become nuns."
I'm not exactly normal...
"Oh dear, you'll find a man someday."
That isn't what this is about!
Sisters are some of the most genuinely joyful people I have ever met. When I see a group of nuns, I am so taken back by their happiness. I vividly remember walking around my first Steubenville Conference and just staring at all the nun. I wanted whatever they had that made them so darn beautiful and radiant! They don't walk around in their habits crying about how they don't have an earthly husband or whine about how they took a vow of poverty. They don't complain about trivial things because they are honestly happy! Why..? Because they're in love! I mean, COME ON, look at these women!
Before I continue, I just want to pose a simple question. Have you ever been in love? I'm not talking like the way you love pizza or the way you love your favorite band, I mean like the kind of love that makes you want to dance around like an idiot and cry tears of joy. The kind of love that gets you out of bed in the morning and keeps you sane throughout the busy day. The kind of love that makes you want to abandon everything. Now I have another question, have YOU ever been loved like that? Don't worry, I'll answer this one for you. The answer is yes, you are loved like that. Right now someone is so totally infatuated with you, He can't get His mind off of you! He thinks you are the most glorious creation and He wants nothing more than you to love Him in return. He sent His only Son to become a little baby, grow up as a carpenter, and then die naked on a cross to pursue you. If that's not Love, I don't know what is.
It is because of that Love that I feel so called to religious life. Jesus is what gets me out of the bed in the morning. Sometimes I just dance around and occasionally cry because I love Him so much. He makes me want to abandon everything. Not just some boy, but the God of the Universe. The Maker of the stars, the Lover of my soul, the Healer of my scars. He has done so much for me, purely out of love. If He asks me to marry Him... How could I ever say no?
"Oh dear, you'll find a man someday."
That isn't what this is about!
Sisters are some of the most genuinely joyful people I have ever met. When I see a group of nuns, I am so taken back by their happiness. I vividly remember walking around my first Steubenville Conference and just staring at all the nun. I wanted whatever they had that made them so darn beautiful and radiant! They don't walk around in their habits crying about how they don't have an earthly husband or whine about how they took a vow of poverty. They don't complain about trivial things because they are honestly happy! Why..? Because they're in love! I mean, COME ON, look at these women!
Before I continue, I just want to pose a simple question. Have you ever been in love? I'm not talking like the way you love pizza or the way you love your favorite band, I mean like the kind of love that makes you want to dance around like an idiot and cry tears of joy. The kind of love that gets you out of bed in the morning and keeps you sane throughout the busy day. The kind of love that makes you want to abandon everything. Now I have another question, have YOU ever been loved like that? Don't worry, I'll answer this one for you. The answer is yes, you are loved like that. Right now someone is so totally infatuated with you, He can't get His mind off of you! He thinks you are the most glorious creation and He wants nothing more than you to love Him in return. He sent His only Son to become a little baby, grow up as a carpenter, and then die naked on a cross to pursue you. If that's not Love, I don't know what is.
It is because of that Love that I feel so called to religious life. Jesus is what gets me out of the bed in the morning. Sometimes I just dance around and occasionally cry because I love Him so much. He makes me want to abandon everything. Not just some boy, but the God of the Universe. The Maker of the stars, the Lover of my soul, the Healer of my scars. He has done so much for me, purely out of love. If He asks me to marry Him... How could I ever say no?
I'm not exactly sure where God is calling me as of this moment in time. Maybe I'll enter a convent next year and maaayyybe I'll meet the man of my dreams walking to class next week, who knows? What I DO know is that I'm open to whatever He has planned for me, and I'm not afraid. He isn't going to call me to a life that isn't specifically for me, because that would just be silly. I would love to share my discernment journey with you lovely people, so please keep me posted if you would like to hear more. I simply ask that you continue to hold me in your prayers because Lord knows I have a lot of growing to do before I make any decisions about my future anytime soon.
If you have any questions about religious life, feel free to ask me and I'll answer them as best as I can. Also, imaginesisters.com is an amazing resource for any of you looking for more information!
Be His!
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