Life Updates- Part 2/4: Give Everything

*This series of blog posts was originally an email series from July 2025. They have been adapted to this format.

Give Everything

Flashforward to June when this 3 month fast is coming to an end.

You're confused. You know the intention the Lord asked you to offer this for but nothing has changed, nothing has been revealed, nothing makes sense! You huff and puff thinking:

Was it all a waste? Did those 3 months even matter??

The final day, June 15th, comes and there's peace. Regardless of whether you ever find out what the purpose was, you obeyed the Lord and you know in your heart of hearts that is all that He asked of you. He didn't ask you to figure out the rest, He just asked you to say yes.

The next day, June 16th, comes and you're meeting one-on-one with a college campus minister to guide her personally through your "Dreaming with God" workshop. It's a beautiful conversation that feels so anointed. And then at the end she says,

"Can I ask you a question?"

Of course!

"Have you ever thought about being a Spiritual Director?"

Pshhh, no!

You both know someone who's gone through a certification but that's a lot of pressure.

She speaks into your gifts anyways and why she believes you'd be great at it. So you promise to take it to prayer and you do. And to your surprise it sits WELL with you. So well that you begin looking into certification programs right away.

Fast forward to that weekend and you're road tripping to NJ for a conference with CatholicPsych Institute called the "Summit of Integration".

It's yet another experience of something feeling very anointed. Not only for you but for the friends with you as well.

Then it happens. Someone is there who sparks a memory- a prayer intention- a deep desire. It's a little unnerving. Do you invite them into this memory and ask them to pray? You waffle back and forth, so you ask God to provide an opening if you're meant to approach them. And He does.

They respond so beautifully. They receive you so fully. They pray for this intention right then and there. It fills your heart and gives you deep peace. But that wasn't even the most significant moment.

Casually you mention the training they went through from CatholicPsych. Their response?

"It transformed my life."

Those words hit your soul like a lightning bolt.

But wait, when looking at spiritual direction programs you determined this one wasn't for you because the cost alone was going to be over $50K. Even your Master's degree didn't cost you that much. But you know that Holy Spirit nudge well so you pray about it that night.

During the final day of the Summit they talk about this certification program. He says there's a scholarship available so your ears, still hesitantly, perk up a little but you think in all seriousness how much could it actually be for? And then he goes on to say this...

"This is an intense program. It's basically a Masters level program, maybe even a Doctoral level program."

Your mind immediately flashes back to therapy a few months ago.

"Have you ever considered going for you Doctorate?"

HA! Heck no!

You enjoy studying and learning about theology but you have no desire for that. God would have to make it VERY CLEAR if He wanted you to do something as intense as that...

Flashforward now to June 30th and you've just received your acceptance into the CatholicPsych program. You can start TOMORROW.

You go to the chapel in your apartment and burst into tears.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO AFFORD THIS?!

"Trust."

Do You not remember that I was also just in a car accident and had to BUY A NEW CAR?!

"I remember and I provided."

HOW CAN YOU ASK ME TO SURRENDER MY FINANCES THIS WAY??

"Because I see what you don't."

But have you seen MY paycheck?

"Yes. You can trust me."

Ugh, I know I can... but THIS quickly? Why not wait until October... I can get everything squared away with Present Catholic, bank some extra money any way I can, and...

"You can wait until October. But if you don't start on July 1st you'll be delaying the blessings. They will come but they will be delayed."

Oof.

Peace.

Sign the dotted line.

Pay the first installment.

Admit to a friend you're absolutely crazy but this is absolutely where God wants you...

To be continued...

Read part 3/4 here