The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
I’m a true millennial: I’ve held jobs at more than 10 different companies throughout my career. I will blame some of it on the pandemic launching me into 4 years of freelance and contract work. But some of my job-hopping can be attributed to my “grass is always greener” mentality. I can be so quick to latch onto an idea that I think will solve all my problems.
Several years ago I had my sights set on working for a specific clothing brand in a gorgeous area. I can still go back to my journals and reread the desperate prayers I scribbled, begging God to help me land a job with this seemingly perfect, Instagram-worthy company. I was hired, and as the curtain was pulled back, I discovered it was less than ideal. The rose-colored glasses had been ripped off. I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at how I once so strongly begged God for this opportunity, and yet how off-base and shortsighted my desires were.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus shares through parables that it is good to have a plan, and be thoughtful and discerning with our actions and choices. However, we have to keep them rightly ordered and aligned with His plans and His thoughts and ways. We’re reminded in the Book of Wisdom how fickle and wavering our own human plans are. We have to be willing to surrender everything we have, possessions, all human relationships and even our own plans, to be free and follow Him.
All my suffering and heartache caused by my failed plans or God’s closed doors is slowly teaching me His ways and plans are better, albeit mysterious and unseen. I’m learning to trust He is the one opening and closing doors because only He knows what is on the other side. The more I can live this trust out, the more in alignment my heart and life will be with His. Let’s pray this week we’re able to surrender our own plans to the Ultimate Planner.
Catherine Huss is the founder and designer of Siena and Co. Swimwear, women’s swimwear with more coverage made ethically in the US. Her favorite conversations combine Jesus and the modern experiences of fashion, relationships, and pop culture. Learn more about this endeavor here.
