www.vocation.com - Why am I afraid that God will call me to religious lif

	Beth asks: Father, All my life I have felt called to be married and raise a family. Right now, I am dating a good Catholic man; and we think God has brought us together to get married. The only problem is that I am worried that God will call me to a religious vocation, and then I will never be able to be married and have children. It has gotten to the point where seeing children or families makes me cry, and thoughts about being a religious depress me. My spiritual director doesn't think that I have a vocation; however, worries that I will have one won't go away. My mother tells me that I have always been afraid of losing things that are important to me; and I have never been in a relationship where marriage seemed so right before. I am trying to trust in God and turn everything over to Him, but the tears keep coming. I'm sorry if this is a confusing email, but do you have any advice? Please pray for me.
	Dear Beth, It seems to me that you are being scrupulous. You have always felt called to marriage, you have worried what would happen if God gave you a religious vocation, but he doesn't seem to have (even though you "know" it is a good thing, there is no attraction there for you of any kind). So I think it is case closed. Put aside your scruples and live with more trust in God. God bless.


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