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

Look Back...For A Minute

2/1/2018

2 Comments

 
For I know well the plans I have for your future…Jeremiah 29:11

We sure spend a lot of time planning.  We look forward to trips and events.  I spent some time the other day booking flights and making hotel arrangements for speaking engagements this spring and it all left me wondering what day it was.  Jesus is with us right this moment, he meets us right where we are, doing exactly what we’re doing.  He doesn’t dwell in our past or wait off in the distant future hoping we make it there to meet him.  He invites us to notice him working in our life right here and right now.

It can be easy to get tangled up in the past; reliving could’ve or should’ve moments and it’s equally easy to get lost in fear and worry about our future.  Neither are productive places to go and stay, but as I was so busy glancing into the future, it caused me to pause and ponder the past a bit.   I took a look backwards in prayer and I was so sweetly surprised with the things I discovered Christ had done there.  

I looked back at “loves” I thought would make my life perfectly complete and in my disappointed tears I didn’t imagine the perfect man he had already chosen for me.

I looked back at jobs I wanted so badly; ones with high pay and great benefits, and while I pouted about missed employment opportunities  he already had an amazing job just waiting. One where I am surrounded by the most amazing teachers and staff and oh…the students…I couldn’t even imagine anything so wonderful.  I didn’t realize a full heart would trump full pockets so mightily!

I looked back at the losses in my life; the tears and the grief that I thought would choke me to death, and what I see now, is the way his tender love and compassion dulled the hurt and the holes left behind by loss were filled with beautiful memories and an ability to reach out with his tender mercy to others who are nursing those same pains.

I looked back and saw three chubby, giggly, drooling babies that grew up too fast.  For a moment there was a sad catch in my breath; one that longed to rock, and cuddle and swing with those little loves, but then I realized they grew into wonderful young adults and someday there may be grand babies to rock and cuddle and return when they get crabby or stinky.

I looked back at a body that was smaller, moved faster and had less sags, wrinkles and fewer gray hairs.  Then I remembered that each sag, wrinkle and gray hair has a story to tell.  I remembered the hundreds of guests of all ages I’ve fed, and the cookies, bread and cinnamon rolls it gives me such joy to bake and share and I know that love of food and the hospitality it brings to others makes me happier than a smaller number on my tags.  Each one of those wrinkles and gray hairs represents a worry I lifted up in prayer and the laugh lines have been so much fun to earn. 

I looked back at disappointments and worries and tragedies and realize God lifted and guided me through every single one and made me stronger, more faithful and more determined to trust him.

I looked back at all the things I wanted, prayed for and knew I simply couldn’t live happily without, and I know now that I received precisely the ones he knew would make my life fit his plan and he withheld the ones that were meant for another.

I looked back at all the friends, family, laughter, weddings, vacations, trips and events and realize I am so ridiculously thankful for all of it and so amazingly loved by the Father who created me.

Looking backwards for a bit was good for my soul and it gave me a long list of things to thank him for.  After a look backwards and a chance to take note of all the wonderful things he’s done through the good and the bad times, I simply have no worries for the future.  He’s got an excellent track record…so in the words of Padre Pio; Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry!

A Seed To Plant:  Take some time to look backwards and take notice of all the ways God has placed his loving hand upon your shoulders.  Be sure to tell him thank you!​

Blessings on your day!


2 Comments
Geraldine Rupp
2/1/2018 10:50:57 am

Jesus I trust in you! I surrender my will... your will e done. My only regret for the past is I did not embrace and abide by these words in my youth. Praise God they are try a little harder everyday to live by these words now. Better late then never. Thank you God for giving us your Son so we can have such a BEAUTIFUL example

Reply
Cindy Emery
2/2/2018 07:58:50 am

These words meant so much to me this mirning. After 45 years living in the same house where we raised 3 kids, we are changing our residence . It is a little scary and I am praying that God will guide us on this new path.

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