Being Courageous Through an Adventurous Life

On the feast of St. Joan of Arc, let us remember that life is a courageous adventure through every new experience and obstacle

“I am not afraid, I was born to do this” has repeated over and over in my mind this morning on the feast of St. Joan of Arc as I sip a cup of coffee and continue on through my day. In a life of busy routines, schedules and endless lists it feels strange today that I have only one list beside me and a quiet home with the typing of my keys echoing on our grey painted walls in the kitchen. Our son is visiting his grandparents, so the sounds of laughter and Sesame Street songs are silently absent. I’m sitting at the counter staring at our spaniel take a snooze on the floor. Drool pools around her little face as she sleeps peacefully dreaming of an endless game of fetch as her little legs move as if she’s chasing a ball.

The list sitting next to me is uncomfortably short. It starts with items for a grocery store trip, combined with tasks I need to complete for a few work-related items for my newly-formed small business and an acquisition of a new business that’s in process – more on that soon! I am used to feeling overwhelmed with items, page after page, that must be completed by week-end including household chores cleaning up after a toddler. This small sticky note with scribbled writing on it seems as if it’s there simply to mock me.

This is just a mirage, there’s a novel of lists left to complete behind it, right?

The Power of the Holy Spirit

This month, I stepped away from my full time role in marketing and communications for an independent Catholic middle and high school after several years within this specific field. Next month, I will begin working for our parish pivoting into a different position that will bring me joy and our family more flexibility we need to care for our son, and the time to grow my small business outside of traditional work hours. This flexibility will bring more time together for our family, and fills in the pieces I have felt have been missing through my vocation to work, that I believe should equally compliment a primary vocation to motherhood. Initially this decision was difficult to make for us as a family when we discerned the possibility earlier this year, but one that the Lord was pushing me towards through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s amazing how you just know when the Lord wants you to make a change – but it can take time, and sometimes a long time to understand it.

I have felt a strong presence of the Holy Spirit a few times in my career life (and personal life) and with unquestionable certainty. It feels like a gentle tap on the shoulder when it has happened…

Christina, you’ve got this. You know what to do.

It’s been in those waking moments when I’ve followed through the uncharted waters answering with a loud and resounding yes! The Lord has a plan for everything in our lives and oftentimes we deny it, question the validity, or think we know better than He does. I admit, I have done this countless times in my life. I wonder where He is, or why He isn’t answering a prayer as I sit silently holding back tears. The dark thoughts flow in and I question if my ideas, desires and plans are what He truly wants from me. Words quietly exit my mouth as I whisper pouring out my heart, “Please show me what you want from me, Lord!”

Each time through prayer and discernment, He answers – most of the time (or almost every time) it isn’t in the way I expect. These answers though, when they arrive through the mysterious power of the Holy Spirit are undeniable and beautiful. It’s hard to explain in words the calming sensation that is felt, but I truly believe you just….know.

A Courageous Leader

I have said it time and time again…life is an adventure. During our time on earth, we have to treat life as such, bravely and often patiently, trusting in the Lord’s plan. St. Joan of Arc is a perfect exemplary model to a life lived courageously, answering in a resounding yes to the Lord’s plan for her life without question. She never wavered from her steadfast faith, even when others doubted her or gruesomely denied her.

Let us pray for the intercession of St. Joan of Arc, asking her to help us to hear and see the Lord more clearly through the power of the Holy Spirit through every decision. My hope and prayer today is that we can all journey together into sainthood alongside her in heaven undeniably trusting in the Lord’s plan for our lives.

St. Joan of Arc, pray for us.