Punctuated by Christ

Listening to a Catholic radio show the other day, I heard the comment, "Never put a comma where God has placed a period."

I got to thinking about how that can be so true. How many times in our lives have we tried to do something our way, but find God has other plans? No matter how many attempts we make, God's Way always trumps us! He pulls us back to His stopping point because that's where we need to be for Him.

You often see this with those called to priestly vocations or convent life. Individuals may have thought to get married & start a family. They may have had high career expectations...CEO of a Fortune 500 company. At each step along that path, something happens & they're unable to meet their personal goals. Does that mean they failed? Nope! It means that God had something better in store for them. His period was placed at a spot in their lives where He wanted them to be.

The more I thought about this quote, though, the more I realized it could be reversed. "Never put a period where God has placed a comma."

It works that way, too! How many times have we reached a point in our lives where we stop & say, "This is it! This is where I'm supposed to be!" -- only to find that it didn't work out? You thought you were settled at the end, but God had different plans.

An example -- You finally found the home of your dreams. It's affordable, perfect for your family, close to everything you need yet far enough for the peace & tranquility you desire, & you can see yourself there for the rest of your life. Then one day...BOOM! The house burns down. You lose your job. Your family has a health crisis. Any number of calamities could arise & you are forced to move from your dream home.

You find something else. That house was not your period. God's comma took precedence & you found something even better.

What about giving up? You've tried to find that special someone, the perfect job, to have a baby. Each attempt is unsuccessful & one day you just stop, throw up your hands, & say, "This is hopeless!" I'm never going to (fill-in-the-blank)! I GIVE UP!"

Shortly afterwards, it happens for you. God erased your period & put a comma in its place. He had a plan all along -- in His time...not yours.

So, no matter where you're placing your periods & commas, stop & take a moment. Pray. Ask God what the correct punctuation is for your current situation. Then patiently wait for His answer. It may not come right away, but it will come!