Reflection About Discernment

I have always known I was different from the other girls in school. Our school uniform was a skirt, but I chose to wear khakis like the guys. My parents let me wear my brother 's hand-me-down basketball shorts and t-shirts that were still too big for me, and I didn 't think much of it. I played basketball with the boys instead of sitting and talking with the girls at lunch. I thought it was normal; I was just a tomboy.

So, what does discernment even mean? I know I didn’t have any idea when I was in your place during my Kairos in June. Discernment is the practice of listening to God calling us through our deepest desires. However, everyone is different, so God’s desire for each individual is unique. Our job is to listen to where God is trying

During our meeting, not many words were exchanged. I cried the entire time. Not sad tears, though. They weren 't tears of shame, but rather of relief. This was the first time I had shared my actual feelings on this topic with an adult.

It feels amazing to have a trusted adult I can talk to in times of need. One thing she said to me during the meeting that has stuck with me ever since is, "Take it easy on yourself."

My teacher explained to me that finding who you are and expressing that to other people can be an extremely long and arduous process. This gave me the patience I needed at a time when I was becoming frustrated without knowing who I was. Looking back, I can see that God was working through this teacher to guide me onto the path to His deepest desire for me. Onto the path to becoming my authentic

They both read the letter, and it felt great to know they loved and accepted me. They didn’t give a whole speech, as they weren’t prepared to give one, but later that night, my dad told me that he loved and supported me no matter what. This was the beginning of a stronger relationship with my parents, and I realize that I have been blessed with the parents I have because I know that there are some people who do not have the same experience as I did with coming out. They just want me to be happy, and if it means being with a girl rather than with a boy, they understand and accept