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Wholly Feminine

Seeking My Husband Through Faith.

1/23/2014

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Ever since I was a little girl I had my whole life planned out. I was going to meet my future husband in college, finish school, get married by 22 and have my first child by 24. I never thought for one second that life would happen any other way. 

During college I went through three failed relationships and remembered feeling like my world was going to end when things didn't turn out how I expected. The last relationship ended less than six months after I graduated, and I couldn't believe I was going to have to start all over again. I was now 23, single, and heartbroken that things were not going as planned. I spent a significant amount of time refusing to accept that it was over and begged and prayed for God to bring us back together. When I finally realized it was just not meant to be, I began to move on.  I went on dates that went nowhere and found it very hard to find anyone I felt a real connection with. I started to lose faith and wondered if I was ever going to have the life I so deeply desired and prayed for.

A few months before my 25th birthday, I prayed for God to remove the heaviness I had in my heart and to strengthen my faith in Him. After truly reflecting on my life and faith, I realized that I had spent too many years trying to make God follow my plans, my will, in my way and my time; which is the complete opposite of how we are called to live. I was ashamed of my lack of faith and trust in Him. For the first time, I asked for His will to be done and not mine. I prayed that my will would be aligned with His and for him to remove any desires from my heart that were not a part of his plans for me. I asked that if it was His will for me to get married and have a family, for it to happen in His perfect way and time. I immediately felt at peace and my heart began to heal. 

Over the next six months I started making positive changes. I stopped staring back at the closed doors in my life and began focusing on living each day in the present. I spent more time in church and in prayer. I took better care of myself by eating healthier and working out. I strengthened my relationships with family and close friends. I became truly grateful for each day and did not take a single moment for granted. I went on trips with close friends and started taking Salsa and Bachata classes. I discovered how much I loved dancing and had a great time meeting new people and enjoying the music.

There were still times when I was lonely, and I would think about how wonderful it would be to able to share my life with someone. When I started to feel impatient or discouraged, I would immediately pray for God's will, His perfect peace, and understanding. I continued to hold on to my faith that He had a plan for me, knew what was best for me, and was working out the details. Then, when I least expected it, my future husband came into my life. I thanked God for making me wait as long as he did. I found someone I can share my faith and goals with that mirror my own. The greatest part is that we bring out the best in each other. After almost 2 years of dating, we are now engaged. God willing, we will be married this October.

I will be 29 years old when I walk down the isle, 7 years later than what I had previously planned and prayed for, and I would not have it any other way. The only regret I have is not fully trusting in God's timing and plan during those times of loneliness and confusion. It would have saved me from so much heartache, doubt, worry, and restless nights. God knows exactly what is best for us and if we truly have faith and trust in him, we will see that his plans are far better than what we could ever need or want for ourselves.  

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.



This post was written by Kristyn Evans, Guest Contributor for Wholly Feminine's Blog.
About the author: Kristyn Evans grew up in a small town in west Texas and moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area over 10 years ago. She became interested in the Catholic faith shortly after beginning college. After a year and a half in the RCIA program at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, she received her baptism, confirmation, and first communion. She is strengthening her faith and relationship with God daily, and strives to be a positive light to anyone she encounters.    



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The Heavenly Father Calls us to Cultivate a Childlike Faith.

1/18/2014

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Childlike faith is what God calls us to possess, yet why is it so hard for us as adults to obtain? “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:17

 When I interact with my daughter for prayer or worship, I see that faith God so seeks us to possess. It is pure and innocent. It is unfailing. It does not falter in
the midst of a storm. Instead, it remains steadfast as the waves of the storm crash upon each other. The prayers are more fervent and given easily. They are given in thanksgiving as well as in petition. 

I watch my daughter in amazement, admiring her strong faith as she prays. Wishing I had her faith, and feeling a bit shameful that I don't. She is only six, but calls upon God as her father. With no care in the world to who hears or sees, she shouts to the sky, "Daddy!" In confusion, I think she is being a bit strange. Yet, when I ask her who she shouts to, she answers with such firm belief, "God. Jesus." Shouting up into the sky, demanding He stop the cold wind, she is fascinated with the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. She looks up into the night sky, admiring the clouds peeking out even amongst the darkness. I too am in awe of the splendor of God’s nature, but as I hear her speak, I can
only think that her faith is much stronger than mine.

At our first attempt to pray the rosary together for a novena, she can no longer hold her eyes open to finish the rosary, but grasps on to it, falling into a deep slumber. All the while, in her sleep, she does not lose hold of it. Her love for Mary is amazing too. Again, I am in awe.

I do not remember, even at her age, having such great faith and love for our Lord. Nor do I remember praying the rosary at her age. She continually shows me the grandeur of her faith, in song, prayer and worship. As we lie in bed to say our prayers, she shouts goodnight to Jesus, our God, Mary and the
saints, adding, "I love you all!" What great faith of hers and what inspiration she is to me, to grow my faith to be like hers.

We should all have childlike faith; just as the example my daughter has given me.
Who inspires you to grow in your faith?

This post was written by Rita Vigil, Editor for Wholly Feminine's Blog
Visit the leadership team page for her biography.

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Are you “connecting” with God through social media?

1/14/2014

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With our current technology we can get just about anything instantaneously. Social media allows us to connect to people all over the world. The Internet provides pages upon pages of information at our fingertips. Yet, sometimes so much information and "connecting" to others through social media can be too much. Are we letting it take a hold of our lives? If we are, what true purpose does it hold? Are we allowing it to take away from actually living our lives? What about living our lives through God's will? Take a minute to think about that… It's a question I've asked myself and the answer wasn't what I hoped. While social media allows us to connect, true connections should be made in person.

With so much technology to distract us, we are forgetting to make those connections with others, but more importantly, with God. We need to remember in making those connections and creating quality time with those people, we are also connecting with God, because we are making those relationships a priority. We must foster those important relationships in our lives in order to connect with God. After all, God uses each and EVERY one of us as His instruments to do His will. If I am "connecting" with others through social media, but not connecting with those in my actual life, thus neglecting important people such as family, am I doing God's will? Of course not... especially if you have a spouse and/or children. Is this the example you want to impress upon them? Definitely not. If you find yourself "connecting" so much you are forgetting to put them as a priority, what is that you are trying to achieve?

There is an underlying problem and it's not social media. The problem stems from within. Anything done in excess is done to cover, hide, or deny a void in our lives. It may be social media, food, drugs, alcohol, TV, shopping, a relationship, etc. Whatever it is that's taking hold of your life, take a moment to pray, reflect and let it go. God has given you free will and the ability to take a hold of your life and actually live it. Make those REAL connections in life, put away the phone when interacting with others and make it a real priority to connect with those that are important in your lives, starting with God. In making that connection, everything else will fall into place. Let's remember to connect with our loved ones and give them true quality time. Have you made a connection today? Tell us about it.


This post was written by Rita Vigil, Editor for Wholly Feminine's Blog
Visit the leadership team page for her biography. 

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