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

Soul Wilting

2/17/2020

2 Comments

 
Before man are life and death…whichever he chooses shall be given him. Sirach 15:

I have a plant in my living room that I love.  The leaves are wide and deep green. I have absolutely no idea what kind of plant it is; all I know is it’s pretty and easy to take care of and it sends a clear signal when it needs my attention.  When I forget to water it, the leaves and stems bend clear down and lay flat on the table but once I water it, it perks straight back up and looks beautiful within an hour.  As we were listening to this reading from Sirach in mass this morning, all I could think about was that plant.

The water on that plant in my living room creates life and beauty and I can see it happening right before my very eyes.  As I listened to these words and thought of my plant I realized that my choices affect my soul just like water affects that plant.  Sometimes I accidentally neglect the plant but a wee bit of time and attention brings it right back to life and restores it’s beauty.  I think that’s what God’s mercy does for our weary, soggy, limp souls.  The water is the fruit of our prayer and his amazing grace.  As I sat thinking about it, there are so many choices  I make that deprive my soul of the life, beauty and brilliant joy just like my neglectful watering habits affect my pretty plant.

I began to wonder what choices I make that lead to the serious wilting of my relationship with the Father.  My first smug thought was, I don’t make any decisions that are death, I’m much more of a chose life person!  As he always does when I think I’m all that and a holy bag of chips, he humbles me and what came next was a rapid fire list of behaviors, attitudes and actions that lead slowly to destruction.  He reminded me that each time I look at someone in judgement, thinking of  myself as happier, more prayerful or more put together, my soul wilts.  I realized that every time I choose to participate in a conversation that isn’t kind or charitable, my soul wilts.  Every time I run to the comfort of food instead of running to the comfort of his love, I wilt a little.  Every time I watch or read or listen to something that opposes his truth or purity or goodness I wilt a little.  Each time I snap back at someone or make snap decisions about how someone drives or dresses or behaves, my soul wilts a little.  All of these situations may seem pretty innocent or human or even acceptable in themselves but in reality the little things add up to become big and the choice is ours to make.  I’ve been lucky that every time I’ve seen my plant drooping I’ve been able to water it and bring it back but one of these times I might neglect it too long and it won’t perk back up.  Thank goodness God’s mercy is more reliable than my plant care skills!  It’s never too late to turn back to him but as the Priest mentioned in his homily, there are always consequences!

With life there is abundant joy and mercy and grace.  With death there is sadness, stress, destruction and separation.  Each of those little decisions I make that are not life giving come with a consequence that is uncomfortable and undesirable.  I’m sure I’ve blamed God for not listening or helping me out of a rough patch but as I think about it, those are probably times when I’m stuck in the yuck of consequences that are a direct result of those little soul wilting choices. When it all boils down to the bottom of the pot, the truth is, we have free will and the choices are truly all ours to make.  That means that the consequences are also truly ours as well; we chose them.  I decided that was a pretty tough truth!  This reading is about more than heaven and hell, it’s about today and tomorrow and the hundreds of todays and tomorrows that lead us into eternity.  I think today is the day to start thinking more about the life and death  of my choices.  I’m thankful for a great message from Scripture and the beautiful visual aid that sits in my living room.

A Seed To Plant:  Ask the Father to help you think about your choices pick out the ones that are reaping life and the ones that are wilting your soul.​
Blessings on your day!
2 Comments
Bonnie Melielo
2/17/2020 09:20:40 pm

This was such a wonderful analogy!! Loved it! All the little things we do that causes our soul to wilt! This is why I go to Confession every week, even though our priest reminded me I don't "have" to, but he knows I need to. I have the same type of plant in my living room. Have had it for 26 years. It was a housewarming present. I hope it is now a reminder to keep my soul watered! :-)

Reply
Sue
3/9/2020 09:45:31 am

That "rapid fire list of behaviors, attitudes and actions that lead slowly to destruction" was a great reminder for me to watch the choices I make more closely and I loved the analogy of the wilting plant that represents my wilting soul whenever I make a poor choice that does not honor God. Thanks!

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