By: Karen Estep

The Feast of the Presentation is an example of Mama Mary being obedient to
the Lord. Under Mosaic Law, women who have given birth have to wait a specified
amount of time to return to worship at the temple. In Mary’s case because Jesus was a
male child, she had to wait 40 days. Thus, this is the reason we celebrate the Feast of
the Presentation on February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas.

I imagine for a woman that had given her life over to the Lord not getting to
worship in His house may have seemed like a daunting task. It probably required a
good amount of patience and an enormous amount of obedience. I feel like even 2,000
years later, we, just like Mary, are being called to have such faith.

A Journey of Faith Across Denominations

I did not grow up Catholic. I was baptized at 2 months old into the Lutheran faith.
However, for various reasons, my family did not attend a church until I met my best
friend in 2nd grade. She invited me to attend the church where her parents were
pastors, The Salvation Army. I was invited to a VBS that they were running and that is
where I first encountered Jesus for myself.

After getting married, my husband and I decided that we wanted to attend a
Methodist church in our area. While that church was just what we needed as
newlyweds, as we matured in our faith and had our own family, we felt called to
something more. However, that something more would call us to be patient and
obedient due to COVID closing everything down.

Discovering the Catholic Church

When we could safely “church shop” again, we decided to check out our local
Catholic parish. We had been sending our children to school there but we did not know
much about the Catholic faith. Our first Mass as a couple was in August of 2021 and
that Mass would end up changing our lives in so many ways.

Unbeknownst to each other, my husband and I prayed that if becoming Catholic
was the direction He wanted us to take, He needed to make it abundantly clear. Boy,
did He! I was ready to join RCIA that day! My husband, who is a little more practical,
said we should probably go to a few more Masses before making up our minds. We
joined RCIA (now OCIA) the following October, were confirmed and took our first Holy
Communions at the Easter Vigil in 2022. Becoming Catholic was the best decision we
have made as a couple and that I have made for myself.

Learning to Trust God’s Call

Being obedient to God’s plan didn’t end that Easter Vigil night. About a year and a
half later I felt the call to start my own podcast. A podcast that would help bridge the gap
for Protestants and Catholics, a podcast where I can share the mistakes I made when
coming home to the Catholic faith, and a podcast where I could share Christ’s love with
everyone. I ignored the call though… I told God how I wasn’t equipped, I didn’t know
how to even start a podcast, and what could I possibly have to say that would keep
people interested? And I just couldn’t do it, no matter how much God called me to it.

Until one fateful day when I prayed for God to show me a sign. I knew this was
wrong and I still did it. I asked for God to make the priest say something specific at a
specific time during the Mass. And I asked for flower petals to drop. I basically asked God for
anything and everything to tell me to do this podcast, all in ways that we’re told not to
do.

Out of the Boat and Onto the Water

I went up to receive communion thinking, “YES! I saw no signs, so I am off the hook
of doing a podcast!” If I could have danced down the aisle to receive the Eucharist I
probably would have because although this idea was in my head and heart, all of my
fears and doubts clouded it.

And I went back to my pew to pray and thanked God for letting me off the hook.
During my prayer I explained that I had so much doubt in myself and all these fears.
And then the Holy Spirit spoke to me during that prayer. I very clearly, as if He was right
next to me, heard, “Karen, get out of the boat.” Just like Peter had to get out of the boat
to walk on water, I too was being called to not look at my doubts and fears and keep my
eyes upon Jesus.

Living Daily Obedience

Being obedient like Mama Mary is hard. I try my best every day, even when I
don’t really understand God’s reasoning. I write for CatholicMom.com, Living Faith Kids,
have my own podcast called, Stand, Kneel, Now What?, and even teach at my local
Catholic High School. There are times I question all of these plans and even look back
down at my doubts and fears. However, God is always there to catch me, reminding me
to be patient and obedient, and guiding me along the way.

How Can We Practice Obedience to God’s Calls?

• Pray – This seems easy and yet we can get distracted with daily life. Sometimes prayer is
  the last thing done.
  
• Listen – Go to adoration, sit in uncomfortable silence, often that is where God meets us.
  
• Discern – Is what you feel called to do furthering the Kingdom of God? If not, then
  maybe set it aside for a while.
  

About Karen:

Karen Estep is the host of the podcast Stand, Kneel, Now What?She recently came home to the Catholic Church and through this Karen has been shown many graces through the Sacraments even with all of her blunders. She hopes to help other adults navigate their faith journey as well.