St. Teresa of Avila: 

God proposes and man disposes

God calls every one; it is up to human ‘free will’ to accept it or not to accept. Often God proposes and man disposes it. Teresa was also disliked the proposal of God in her heart for a long time. “It seems to me that his Majesty was considering and reconsidering in what way He could bring me back to Himself....... It seems that the Lord wished to give me light” (Way of Life 2:10). Even though Teresa knew such desire was from God’s power she neglected and was reluctant to accept it for a long time. 

Teresa decided ‘Not to be a Nun’

At the beginning of her convent life, Teresa was strongly against the thought of becoming a nun, but she was happy to see good nuns because there were many good nuns in the convent who loved her very much and they were very modest and pious (ibid 2:8). Even though Teresa progressed in prayer, still had no desire to become a nun and she prayed God not to give such a vocation. But the desire was not high in her; she was not completely inclined to become a nun. Finally she saw that the religious life was the best and safest state for her soul. Therefore, little by little she decided to force herself to accept it (ibid 2:5). She prayed God earnestly to make a decision and she understood slowly the will of God. Her prayers led her to take good decision.