When I was called…

I was a Spanish teacher for 7 years in a Catholic middle school in Southern California. After the seventh year, I was told that my program was going to be canceled, and the school wasn’t sure that they could call me for the next school year. They called me for the 2009-2010 school year! , but I already had a magnificent called that summer. I realized that even I was serving kids in schools, God was asking me to do something else, and to reshape my life.

During July and August of 2009 I began to pray to the Holy Spirit asking for guidance in my professional career. I wondered if I had to teach something else and finish the courses to complete my Social Studies credential.  Actually, it was what I did. During 2009-2010 I completed all the courses to obtain my Social Studies Credential in order to have more opportunities to teach. But, more and more teachers were laid off in California, and the opportunities to get a job were decreasing.  So, I decided to put more effort in my travel business that was hit by the economic crisis of recent years, and I re-organized my home-based travel agency to help more people to travel.

Meanwhile, I continued praying and looking for guidance, so I attended a workshop on charisms that was facilitated by The Catherine of Siena Institute named “Called and Gifted” offered in my Parish Santiago de Compostela.  During this event and in the weeks after, I confirmed charisms of knowledge and teaching, and I discovered my interest for leadership and prayer.  Within the process suggested in the workshop I spent many days praying, meditating and discerning about God’s call in my life.

Once in a while I go back to the workbook that was provided to discern,  to confirm and discover new charisms given by God. For example, since English is my second language I had a hard time writing in English, so I have never thought that I would be writing this blog about the Holy Spirit and my own faith experiences. Here I am, only with the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the will of the Holy Spirit writing to you.

God wants us to discover His gifts in us to bring the Kingdom of God to this world and take people to His love.  I hope you have the opportunity to discern your own gifts and put them to work; you can’t image the great peace that they bring to you and your life.

Blessings,

Susana

PS: if you experienced calls similar to mine or others, please share your experience with us with a comment. Thank you!