[Our first post (of many I hope!) from the heart of another woman; sharing her experience as woman.]
Last week, I shared about the need to be loved; every young woman has an ache to be cherished by someone. To continue on that thought, our powerful feminine emotions can be a great asset to who we are…or they can
hinder us. That deep emotional need to be loved can lead a young lady to throw herself into a relationship (even if it is not a healthy one). She wants
so badly to be in love that she affixes her emotions to a young man that doesn't know what love is either. Her heart is soon entangled within an immature, broken relationship, but she doesn’t see a way to get free. Here is one such story, and the angel who
helped her break the cycle. This one is from Ana
DeLeon. She has her Masters from the
John Paul II Institute of Marriage and Family Studies, and currently lives in
Virginia with her husband and daughter.
“If someone would have asked me at the age of 20 where and
what I would be doing with my life at 29, I certainly would not have told them
married for almost three years, have a 2
year old (hoping for #2), all while praying for the generational sins of our
families to be broken – what?! Really?!!
Luckily for me, I met a wonderful woman in college, my
mentor, who changed my life forever. She
gently helped me break away from a broken relationship, and then basically
revealed to me, by her actions, God’s love. Yes, for the first time in my
“adult” life, I came to understand and to know authentic love – what it really
means to be loved by someone for who you are, made in the image and likeness of
Christ. It took one question to make me
realize that I really had no real desire or love for this person: “What do you
love about him?” regarding my broken relationship. I couldn’t think of a single thing!! It was
the web of lies and false love that had us “locked in chains,” as I like to
say.
I see so many young girls today who swear that they are “in love,” but they have not really experienced life enough nor know who they are wholeheartedly...So how can they truly love? I knew that I was cutting myself short. What I didn’t know (but would soon learn) is that God had a better plan for me. It took me a while to realize that, but with the help of my mentor (my guardian angel, as I like to call her), I came face to face with God.
As I prayed, went to church, kept away from things that I knew were hindering my spiritual walk with God, (and again prayed!), I fell in love with Christ! I had never experienced Christ to this capacity – ever! My heart was growing and searching for more. Shortly thereafter, I was introduced to Theology of the Body, and let me just say, I was never the same after that! I had an open heart and mind, and I was able to hear the truth in the words of Pope John Paul II. It’s what I had been waiting for. It’s what I want for every woman and man to know: why we were created male and female and what does the marital union of man and woman say to us about God and His plan for our lives.
I see so many young girls today who swear that they are “in love,” but they have not really experienced life enough nor know who they are wholeheartedly...So how can they truly love? I knew that I was cutting myself short. What I didn’t know (but would soon learn) is that God had a better plan for me. It took me a while to realize that, but with the help of my mentor (my guardian angel, as I like to call her), I came face to face with God.
As I prayed, went to church, kept away from things that I knew were hindering my spiritual walk with God, (and again prayed!), I fell in love with Christ! I had never experienced Christ to this capacity – ever! My heart was growing and searching for more. Shortly thereafter, I was introduced to Theology of the Body, and let me just say, I was never the same after that! I had an open heart and mind, and I was able to hear the truth in the words of Pope John Paul II. It’s what I had been waiting for. It’s what I want for every woman and man to know: why we were created male and female and what does the marital union of man and woman say to us about God and His plan for our lives.
Whatever plan you
think you may have for your life, forget about it. God has something even
greater planned out for you! I never
thought that part of my life’s mission is to pray for the end of the
generational sin in my family, but it is. That’s not my only mission, but one I
hold close in my heart. My story is
unique because, well, I’m Mexican-American, so you might assume that I come
from a strong Catholic background, but I don’t.
My families, from both parents, have suffered tremendously in the past,
and those sad realities still lurk in the background of their lives. There’s so
much more to say about that, so we’ll leave that for another day. However, I’m grateful for all the experiences
in life, because without them I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t have experienced God’s mercy and
grace as I did.
I’m married to an amazing man who also seeks God’s
heart more than anything else; his love and passion for God makes me fall in
love with him more and more every day!
It’s an everyday thing, but we understand that as long as we keep God
first in our marriage, then our love can only grow from there. And has it grown! (Yet, again, that’s another story in it of itself! Let me just say, that the first two years of
marriage are the hardest! Those who say
they are the easiest, or call it the “honeymoon years,” are mistaken!)
We have a beautiful little girl, who embodies in every way, the fruit of our prayers, the beginning of a holy family in our own little family tree. That is our prayer and it begins with us! I remind myself of this every day, and I pray that God keeps this always in front of me, so that our family can begin to transform and repair the generations present, past and, future." - Ana DeLeon
We have a beautiful little girl, who embodies in every way, the fruit of our prayers, the beginning of a holy family in our own little family tree. That is our prayer and it begins with us! I remind myself of this every day, and I pray that God keeps this always in front of me, so that our family can begin to transform and repair the generations present, past and, future." - Ana DeLeon
What a beautiful story! Thank you, Ana, for sharing with us! What wonderful reminders to first seek God to
fill our love-need and second, if we see another woman (or young woman) in need
of help, be her angel! Only then will she be able to live a life in the fullness of God's grace and follow the path He calls her down.
God has not only given us a gift of womanhood in all
our complexity, but He has given us each other!
Our dearest friends, other women who understand the female heart and
through love, can resonate truth within it.
Let us not give up on the younger generation! They may seem hopeless at times, but
everything aside – she is still a girl, looking to be loved.
Well, that's my view of it and I welcome yours! Please comment below!
And if you appreciate celebrating authentic womanhood and are exciting to be a part of the rising tide of new feminism...please SHARE this blog! THANK YOU! :-)
the need for love...girls just don't know what to do with it!
ReplyDeletethats why they are in those stupid relationships! they want to have someone who loves them...but it's not real love...vicious cycle!
yes, thank goodness Ana had an Angel to help her find herself and God... It seems He's the only one who can truly fill that void!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful story, Ana.. Thank you for sharing! And thank you for being such an inspiration to women everywhere. I will soon be able to say I have a daughter of my own, and I can only hope to fill her life with God's love!
ReplyDeleteSo much to share!!! I'm so thankful for everything and everyone in my life who has helped me...past, present, and future. I should also mention that I've always been surrounded with amazing friends who have certainly played a significant role in my life! God's mercy is so beautiful and it can change anyone! I am a witness to that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story Ana.... Very nice words. God is great....
ReplyDeleteK. Marichalar
Wonderful story, Ana! I was just reading that we should pray for God to surround us with friends that'll help our Christian walk. Thank you for your message! Can't wait to read more!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing story! Can't wait to hear more from her!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled at the positive feedback!!
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoyed this one, just wait until you hear the next two stories...there will not be a dry eye in the house!
Women truly are God's amazing, deep, brilliant, powerful, loving creatures!
The next phase to unfold is all about woman's motherhood! Stay tuned! Pass it along!