--- title: You Were Right description: Louisa Ikena reflects on the phrase, “You were right” on both the proclaiming and the receiving ends. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20251009%20LIkena%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/you-were-right#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # You Were Right Oct 9, 2025 10:00:00 AM  |  by [Louisa Ann Irene Ikena](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/louisa-ann-irene-ikena) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20251009%20LIkena%201.png) *Louisa Ikena reflects on the phrase, “You were right” on both the proclaiming and the receiving ends.* --- I recently heard the phrase, “You were right,” from someone at church that I had voiced disagreement with. It took me aback so much in the moment that I was temporarily speechless. This person had made a thoughtful, deliberate processing of our communication and came to see my point of view. I was rendered speechless because I can count on only one hand the number of times I have heard that phrase lovingly directed toward me. And there are even fewer instances when I have used this powerful phrase. It is humbling on both the giving and receiving ends.   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20251009%20LIkena%202.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20251009%20LIkena%202.png) ## A Statement of Surrender To state, “You were right,” usually means I am admitting I was wrong. Oh, what a rare phrase! To admit I was wrong is dangerously close to admitting not just that I made a mistake, but it is close to admitting the false belief that I am a mistake. Lord, help me remember the truth: You do not make mistakes.   How many times have I voiced an argument with Our Lord? I try to run the show rather than surrender to God’s Will. This statement might seem obvious, but I have a whole lot of trouble remembering that God orchestrates things infinitely better than I can ever dream of orchestrating things. I think of many examples, ranging from people I encounter in my day to the way traffic is flowing on any given day. I can choose to complain or murmur against God, or I can surrender and offer things up as a prayer. ## Finding the Humility to Surrender Can I find the humility to pray, “You were right, Lord!”? Nothing in God’s economy is ever wasted. Ultimately it is not about who is right and who is wrong on our faith journey. Can we accept each other exactly as we are? Can I accept myself as I am? I try. I miss the mark. And I try again.   Every breath we breath is holy. *Ruah* is the Hebrew word for "breath of God" or "Spirit of God." Ruah animates us. It means both breath and Spirit. God’s Spirit is but a breath away. He invites us to draw near. He is not only near us, He is *in* us. We also receive Him at every Eucharist. His Love is renewed in us daily. God is constantly giving, constantly loving. Our part is to invite Him in. Invite God into every moment, every square inch of us, every square inch of our lives. Nothing is ever wasted. Even the nooks and crannies of our lives can be blessed by His Presence. When we become aware of God Presence, I believe the natural reaction is wonder and awe. It is awareness of Him that we bring as Catholic missionaries. ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20251009%20LIkena%203.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20251009%20LIkena%203.png) We are sent to be light in the darkness. It is a joy to serve. It is a joy to be sent. Let us lift our minds and hearts to God in prayer. No matter what I hear today, I can say to God with confidence, thanking Him yet again: “You were right.”    Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2025 Louisa Ann Irene Ikena Images: Canva ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-were-right%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-were-right%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-were-right%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=You%20Were%20Right) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-were-right%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-were-right%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Louisa Ann Irene Ikena](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Louisa%20Ann%20Irene%20Ikena%20-%20Louisa%20Ikena.jpg) ### [Louisa Ann Irene Ikena](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/louisa-ann-irene-ikena) A member of the Blessed Trinity Missionary Institute, a secular institute for lay missionaries, Louisa Ann Irene Ikena, BTMI aims to give glory to the Triune God. Although not a mother in the traditional sense, she considers herself a good parent to her inner child. A contributing writer with Catholic Mom since May 2022, Louisa works in education. ## Related Blog Articles [ Let the Peace of Christ Control Your Hearts Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/let-the-peace-of-christ-control-your-hearts) [ What Fires Our Spiritual Imagination Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/what-fires-our-spiritual-imagination) [ Lead Me, Guide Me, Lord Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/lead-me-guide-me-lord) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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