I like to think that I am a silver-lining kind of guy. That I always look for joy in the dark places, hence the clever title of this blog, wallowing in joy. Occasionally this is put to the test - and in a real way, at least as it relates to my vocation, this just happened to me. On Monday, February 13th, I found out that I am being deferred for a year. This means that I can still go to admissions boards in June, but that I will have to wait a year after that to enter. Why? Debt, and I was told it felt rushed, and ... resolutely I agree.
So - I'm looking at August 2013, which seems really far away. So that silver lining, where is it? I am coming to terms with joy of patience and the rich fruits I have received in my current job. I work as a campus minister and retreat director. My job is so fulfilling and life giving, it's a bit ridiculous. I work with the cream of the crop at a Jesuit school and they model prayer and discernment better that I may ever. If the students I minister to remind me to pray and bring me joy, why not continue this kind of work for another year? What would be lost? Staying in contact with ministry is going to be an important part of my life while discerning and always, especially as a Dominican.
So here we are, on Ash Wednesday, and my lenten goals are pretty simple ... come closer to God through contemplative prayer. That's it. I think if that goes right, the rest will fall in place. And, that year won't seem so freakin' long.
Shalom,
Joe
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