“It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle” (St. John Paul II).

Sometimes, a dream — doing something God calls you to do — seems distant. Maybe you’ve done all the dreaming, taken all the classes and preparation, made the business plan ... and your end state still seems so far away. Maybe you’re in a job that you like, but it’s not one you love. You may be waiting for the “perfect” job, your business to kick off, or all the seeds you have planted to come to fruition.

If you’re in the in-betweens right now, these three tangible concepts and visuals may help you find peace in this season.

1. The Women of Scripture

In season 9, the Abiding Together podcast is doing a miniseries on four women in scripture. The hosts started with an episode on the story of Hannah, and it blew me away. Hannah desires a child, and she is taunted by others who are able to conceive. She remains faithful to the Lord, and in turn, He gives her Samuel, whom she dedicates to Him. The Lord also gives her several other children (five!) after Samuel.

In this episode, Heather Khym, Michelle Benzinger, and Sister Miriam James Heidland discussed how we should open up our desires to God. In this surrender, we can experience freedom. The podcast hosts pointed out that our union with God is always our purpose. Ultimately, God’s “response time” (or lack thereof) may be a work of mercy in our lives. In turning to Jesus for all of our dreams, business plans, and job applications, we invite Him to meet us where we are. He can ignite our hope.

2. Your Life and Professional Journey as a Mosaic

A mentor of mine once told me that she saw my interests and career aspirations as a mosaic. After I encountered the Saint John Paul II National Shrine once again this winter, that visual seems more relevant. To honor the right to life, in January, some family members and I went to Mass at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine.

Each time I visit the shrine, I am taken aback by the beautiful mosaics within the walls of the chapel and outside of it. During my recent visit, before Mass, there was time for a small tour of the mosaics in the chapel, where the mosaic stories on the left side of the chapel are juxtaposed with the stories on the right. I could not help thinking about all the intentionality that went into the shrine: the fundraising by the Knights of Columbus, the design by Father Marko Rupnik, and the work of the chaplain and coordinators.

When you look at all the detail that went into the creation and development of the shrine and its upkeep, those people’s dream seems so evident, purposeful, and fulfilling. Like the beautiful mosaics of the shrine, every step on your journey is like laying down a small tile in the larger, wonderful work of your life.

3. Celebrating Today

In the haste to do everything you can to create the type of business life you want (and believe you are called to), have you neglected to look around the present and face, with gratitude, what God has called you to today? Have you often felt despair in the face of the “daily grind”?

Perhaps you have some go-tos to reorient your thinking toward gratitude. Maybe it's journaling or prayer. Perhaps it’s setting up some time to reconnect with a mentor. Maybe it's creating something, such as a vision board, to help you remember where you have been and where you’re going. Or maybe it’s one of my personal favorites: toasting your latest accomplishments with your friends.  However you refocus your day, find a way to enjoy who you have become.

As women in business, it is OK — normal even— to have rough days. If you feel self-doubt or frustration, remember that you are not alone! Find solace from stories of women in Scripture that resonate with you, consider your life as a beautiful piece of artwork that is still being created, and honor where you are now in your professional journey.  

Molly Franzonello is a wife and health care systems innovator in Washington, D.C. When not driving all over the metropolitan area to see “her people,” you can find her reading, writing, researching, or staycationing at her favorite spots in the District.