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Our vocation to live with and like Christ comes in many forms. The forms are different for everyone and a vocation takes more than one form for a single person.
As future lawyers, it seems clear that we each have a professional vocation. Many of us wonder how a private vocation, specifically a family vocation, can fit in. Can the professional and private vocations be balanced in our lives?
Professor Julie Oseid and her husband, Dr. Jeff Oseid, spoke at yesterday’s STMS meeting and shared their story. Their story provided a resounding “yes” to the question posed above.
Both of the Oseids’ are professionals. Twenty-seven years ago, they were married. Within days, Prof. Oseid started law school and Dr. Oseid started medical school. They needed to learn balance from the beginning.
The Oseids’ offered at least three pieces of advice that will be especially helpful to those of us hoping to be successful and effective lawyers, as well as worthy spouses and parents.
First, always put family first. A conscious decision must be made, Dr. Oseid stressed, to do this. It won’t necessarily be automatic, apparent or feel natural when professional demands arise. Effort must be made.
Second, recognize that your private vocation may cause you to say no to opportunities. Sacrifices must be made to live our priorities. At the same time, however, Prof. Oseid told us that “no” should not automatically meet new opportunities. Give real consideration to what arises. If a yes seems appropriate, you may be surprised at how well God provides for you and allows things to work.
Third, do not put your spouse, career, or any aspect of reality into a box. Never assume that you completely “know” your spouse or what will happen in a given circumstance. Doing this closes us off to what is really in front of us and limits our receptiveness to what is given. Prof. Oseid quoted G.K. Chesterton: “The greatest of all illusions is the illusion of familiarity.” (She read this from The Shattered Lantern)
Dina Nguyen, a 1L, attended. Dina said that the Oseids’ were an answer to prayer as she has been struggling with the question of vocation. Although she has only been in law school for only one semester, she has already faced challenges to her hope to have a family and a successful career; some say it will be impossible. The Oseids were “confirmation that it is possible to do everything.” Doing everything, of course, takes prayer, openness and sacrifice.
Throughout, the Oseids emphasized gratitude. In recollecting what they have been given and are being given, they are thankful. This position helps them to confront new circumstances and maintain hope when things are difficult or uncertain.
As future lawyers, it seems clear that we each have a professional vocation. Many of us wonder how a private vocation, specifically a family vocation, can fit in. Can the professional and private vocations be balanced in our lives?
Professor Julie Oseid and her husband, Dr. Jeff Oseid, spoke at yesterday’s STMS meeting and shared their story. Their story provided a resounding “yes” to the question posed above.
Both of the Oseids’ are professionals. Twenty-seven years ago, they were married. Within days, Prof. Oseid started law school and Dr. Oseid started medical school. They needed to learn balance from the beginning.
The Oseids’ offered at least three pieces of advice that will be especially helpful to those of us hoping to be successful and effective lawyers, as well as worthy spouses and parents.
First, always put family first. A conscious decision must be made, Dr. Oseid stressed, to do this. It won’t necessarily be automatic, apparent or feel natural when professional demands arise. Effort must be made.
Second, recognize that your private vocation may cause you to say no to opportunities. Sacrifices must be made to live our priorities. At the same time, however, Prof. Oseid told us that “no” should not automatically meet new opportunities. Give real consideration to what arises. If a yes seems appropriate, you may be surprised at how well God provides for you and allows things to work.
Third, do not put your spouse, career, or any aspect of reality into a box. Never assume that you completely “know” your spouse or what will happen in a given circumstance. Doing this closes us off to what is really in front of us and limits our receptiveness to what is given. Prof. Oseid quoted G.K. Chesterton: “The greatest of all illusions is the illusion of familiarity.” (She read this from The Shattered Lantern)
Dina Nguyen, a 1L, attended. Dina said that the Oseids’ were an answer to prayer as she has been struggling with the question of vocation. Although she has only been in law school for only one semester, she has already faced challenges to her hope to have a family and a successful career; some say it will be impossible. The Oseids were “confirmation that it is possible to do everything.” Doing everything, of course, takes prayer, openness and sacrifice.
Throughout, the Oseids emphasized gratitude. In recollecting what they have been given and are being given, they are thankful. This position helps them to confront new circumstances and maintain hope when things are difficult or uncertain.
