Sheri Wohlfert
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Talks & Topics
    • Discipleship & Evangelization
    • Women's Ministry
    • Catholic Schools
    • Catholic Hospitality Training
  • Events & Bookings
  • About
  • Contact

Joyful Words Blog

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. 

– Psalm 119:105

Living Gracefully

11/5/2015

3 Comments

 
 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Ephesians 4:7
 
The grace of God is a beautiful thing!  It’s an amazing gift given freely to us.  We don’t earn it or deserve it.  It’s a gift given just because we have a Father who loves us so much and he’s just waiting for us to ask him to slather us with it. Grace is what allows us to believe, trust, be patient, persevere and rise above the things of this world that like to grab us by the ankles and pull us down.  The grace of God is what keeps us going when we think we’ve given or endured all we can; it’s what allows us to live as a Child of God.
 
During the month of November we spend a lot of time studying the Saints and saintly folks.  We learn about the greats like Paul, Mark, John, Patrick, John Paul and Mother Teresa and lots of others who have lived a life of beautiful lessons.  I had a student ask me once why we paid so much attention to dead people.  It took me a little off guard but the child did have a point.  After a moment of thought, I explained that the reason we studied them was because those dead folks had a lot to teach us about how we should live. I realize the only way I will ever be among them is by the grace of God!  That led me to wonder if I really was living gracefully.
 
Fr. John Meoska tells the story of the day he visited a dying parishioner in the hospital and asked the question, “Are you afraid of dying?” It surprised the priest when the man replied, “No Father, I’m not afraid of dying, I’m afraid I haven’t really lived yet.”  When I read this little story my mind flew back in time 27 years to the days I sat with my mom as she was dying.  We had some great conversations those last few days that I will treasure in my heart forever.  Some I’ve shared with others and some I keep tucked away until they bubble out at the perfect time.  Sometimes they tumble out because I need her wisdom; funny how it works.   The last things she told me was, “Sheri Ann, I hope you’re alive all the days of your life!”  I think about those words a lot.  It’s funny that our last conversation involved a lesson.  Barb could be a little bossy and I giggle when I realize that her final words were not, “I love you” or “I’m proud of you” or “Good-bye my beautiful daughter.” (I would have liked that one) No, her final words to me were a job; the most important job she ever gave me!  Be alive…fully alive…gracefully alive.  They were my marching orders and they came from a woman who taught me how it was done!
 
So what keeps us from being gracefully alive?  I suppose my list would include complaining, disobedience, stubbornness, rebellion, selfishness and a big scoop of pride to top it all off.  If I looked back on the days I didn’t feel or look too alive, I was probably busy comparing, judging and doubting.  Those things are like throwing a huge wet blanket right on the grace of God.  They stomp out the joy, love and energy that come from being alive in Christ.  I don’t remember the Gospel telling us to go forth and be crabby or gather the nations and spread the selfish news.  I don’t recall Jesus ever telling a parable showcasing the joys and blessings of the self-reliant control freak who furthered the kingdom on earth. Those things are the things we try to do to “fix” things instead of asking for, receiving and living through the GRACE OF GOD!  So, it might just be the perfect day to ask yourself…am I gracefully living this life of mine or am I just breathing?
 
A Seed To Plant:  On a sticky note, write the words, “Be alive all the days of your life” and put it somewhere you will see it often as a reminder to live this life God gave you gracefully!
 
Blessings on your day!
 

3 Comments
Kathy
11/5/2015 04:08:51 pm

What a powerful message! We have so much to do and so little time to do it.

Reply
Beckie
11/5/2015 04:36:11 pm

Thanks for this today! A lesson from Aunt Barb, what a joy it is now that I am an adult. She was a wonderful lady who I think about alot and miss.

Reply
Sunshine
11/6/2015 08:00:04 am

Thank you for a great reminder that our days here on earth are short and we shouldn't waste time but live and spread the joy of Gods love even in the small tasks thank you

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to Joyful Words Blog
    Subscribe

    Sheri's writing can also be found at Faith Catholic Publications and on CatholicMom.com
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

Email     [email protected]

Phone   989.640.6673

Subscribe to Joyful Words Blog

* indicates required
/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Content is the intellectual property of Sheri Wohlfert
Created by Olivia K Design
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Talks & Topics
    • Discipleship & Evangelization
    • Women's Ministry
    • Catholic Schools
    • Catholic Hospitality Training
  • Events & Bookings
  • About
  • Contact