Being Catholic is not easy. It takes a lot of strength to keep the faith! There are a lot of challenges that come with being a woman in the Catholic Church. Here are a few of them:
1. Learning how to dress modestly, but still cute.
Being modest is a great way to protect your body and treat it with respect. Modesty is hard, but it gives people a chance to see you are more than just your body. You need to set your own guidelines for modesty and live up to those standards.
BUT IF I STOP WEARING LEGGINGS, I'LL HAVE TO WEAR REAL PANTS! Yes, yes, you will, and that is part of the struggle.
But its okay —cardigans are super cute and in right now!
2. Realizing that your body is a temple and treating it as such!
Wait, so it's a sin to pig out? Yeah, it is! Your body is a gift, and you need to take care of it. That means working out a little too!
Just make small changes in your life to be healthier. Eat a little better and work out a little more. Just take care of your body! You are not perfect, and we all know you will have one of those days where you are far from healthy, but we have a loving and forgiving God who will understand.
3. Not judging others. We know it's wrong,; we try not to do it, but sometimes we fail.
The people in your life are not perfect and neither are you. We need to try to remember that our sins are different, but we are all sinners. The only one who has any right to judge us is God.
4. Wanting to help everyone, but accidentally being too nosy.
It is beautiful that you want to help others, but you need to respect people's boundaries. Let them come to you!
5. Knowing you can't just date any cute boy, but that you need to find a guy who will help you grow.
I know he's pretty, but that is not enough. You are a beautiful woman of God, and you need a man who will lead you to heaven. AND NO YOU CAN'T CHANGE HIM. Only God can. Lead him to the Lord as a friend, not a girlfriend.
Since we are on the topic of boys ...
6. Knowing that no guy will be able to live up to Jesus.
It is the sad truth, but you will always have Jesus! You don't need a knight in shining armor or a savior because you already have one. He will always be your No.1 man! He may put a man in your life who is not perfect, but is striving for holiness, and if you guys keep God the center of your relationship, then y'all can be very happy.
7. Realizing not everyone is called to marriage and maybe you are not.
You may not get married. You may be called to be a sister or a single person, but it's OK. God knows what will make you happy, and he will bring you much joy in the vocation He is calling you to!
When you finally accept this, but your friends and family don't.
It's OK; they will eventually realize you do not need a man to make you happy. You have God, and if he decides to place a man in your life then that is OK too.
8. Trying too hard to be best friends with your priest and worrying that you are annoying him.
Priests are here to serve us and you are probably not annoying him, but remember that he has other members to serve and his own life!
9. Trying to get your friends who are not into their faith to come to Catholic events with you.
Once again, you can not change people. Just keep inviting them to things and maybe God will touch their heart when they see other people trying to grow closer to Him!
10. Wanting to drop out of school and become a sister when it gets hard.
Other girls think about dropping out to be a stripper, but not you. If the sisterhood is where God is calling you, go for it but if you think its just an easy way out, it's not! It is a completely different vocation that takes a lot of work. And you know this, it is just a nice thought when things get tough.
11. Trying to always be humble.
You may be growing a lot in your faith or just as a person. Everything you are given or achieve in life is because of God, remember that!
12. Being obsessed with babies.
A lot of women think they are baby crazy, but not like us. #prolife #probabies #giantfamilies #millionsofbabies
13. Knowing you may have to use natural family planning and thinking it is super-cool but a little awkward as well.
"I am suppose to track what????" It may seem scary but it is worth it! It respects life and our bodies!
14. Having to say no to a lot of things.
There are a lot of temptations in the world. It is not always easy, but putting God first is always worth it. That other stuff will bring you counterfeit, short-lived joy anyways!
15. Fan-girling over Mary and the other Saints.
**Insert Saint's name where it says Ann, or just think about St. Ann because she is awesome.**
And probably the hardest one ...
16. Letting God take the reins and plan your life.
It is hard to live life one day at a time and let God come up with the plan, but no matter what you try to do, his plan will win every time. Do not worry, it will be good!
Even though being a Catholic girl is hard, it is so worth it. God is showering you with graces all the time even if you do not know it!
Also you get to have a real relationship with Him, and we all know that is the greatest!
So, keep doing you! With God by your side, you can conquer these hardships!
