When I was a young man back in 1974 before I met my wife, Anna, I met a girl named Patty at work. We both worked for a company called the Denver Dry Goods or The Denver. Patty was the head buyer in the lingerie department and I worked in the credit department. We had both recently moved to Colorado. She had come from Phoenix, AZ and I had moved from Saint Petersburg, FL. We would meet for lunch and breaks and would sometimes interact during the day on the phone for credit approval.
She was not a Catholic but had recently become engaged to a young man from a wealthy family and she was taking pre-cana classes, as well as, catechumen classes. She had questions that I tried to answer about my Catholic faith. We became casual friends at work but nothing more. However, over time I started having romantic feelings for her. One Friday she needed to get to the airport after work. She had to go back to Phoenix to make plans for her wedding. I took off early to drive her to the airport. She had a tight window to maker her flight. My boss Shirley who was a good practicing Catholic wondered why I would do this favor for a woman that I would never see again. I told her that we don’t always do things for others because we would get something in return.
Over the years I often thought fondly of Patty and hoped she had a wonderful life, a good marriage and many grandchildren. I often wonder what would have happened if I had spoken my feelings to her. Jeremiah 29:11 was not God’s plan for my life. There are many ” what if’s” in all our lives, but it may not be what God wants for us.
I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.
When Saint Paul writes in 1Corinthians is judging ourselves or others before all the cards are dealt. We must be trustworthy and know that despite the regrets of a lifetime we are not being judged by a human tribunal. We are judged by God and we are now living in His plan for our lives. Those turns and people in our lives of what might have been weren’t God’s plan for us. The scribes and Pharisees were trying to make judgements, Can you make the wedding guest fast while the bridegroom is with them. God’s salvation plan had not played out yet for Jesus.
Neither is that plan for you or anyone you pray for.
We all have people that we love and pray for who have physical or emotional problems. We have people who have moral problems. Sin does not touch the evil person. It touches all of us. Don’t give up praying. Jesus has the final call. All the cards aren’t dealt. There is still hope.
Mostly do not give up hope on yourself.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Pray for peace in Ukraine. Pray for all Cancer victims and their caregivers.
