As the snow was melting and spring flowers were beginning to bloom last year, I was looking forward to a new chapter in my life. The following fall, all my children would be in school (even though for my pre-schooler, it was only for a few hours a day). For the first time in 16 years, I would have a few hours to begin working on my budding writing and blogging career that had been on the back burner. Rejected book proposals, technical difficulties with designing a website and blog, and a redesign of my radio meditations had been preventing forward progress over the past few years. Yet all of a sudden, a huge window of opportunity opened up for me.
A friend of mine and later ministry co-founder Michele Faehnle introduced me to an editor and shared my writing and radio ministry work. The editor was already seeking Michele to write a book on the Corporal and Spiritual works of Mercy for moms, yet like many of us, with Michele’s family life, the task seemed overwhelming. Michele had thought I might be able to take up the offer. After reviewing my work, the editor’s answer surprised both of us, and she asked us to co-author the project for our first book. This tag-team approach would fit perfectly into both of our lifestyles and our talents were a winning combination. It was a dream come true, the opportunity of a lifetime, and a testament to God’s perfect timing (or so I thought).
Shortly after signing the book, I discovered “two pink lines” on my pregnancy test. I was in complete shock. All I could think was “Really, Lord? Really??” Why would He give me this opportunity and not be able to fulfill it? How could He expect me to take on a professional book writing contract, start a new ministry with an active blog and not drown with caring for my own 6 children with a pregnancy in my forties? The spirit of fear covered me and yet I knew that I needed to trust our Lord, for God must have a bigger and better plan then the script I was writing in my own head.
Looking back 9 months later, I have come to realize writing this book during my pregnancy was a special gift to me. It certainly proved that “but for God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). The hours spent penning the paragraphs for Divine Mercy for Moms helped to distract me from morning or evening sickness in the beginning and provided me Divine Comfort when my vocation of motherhood got to be overwhelming later in the pregnancy. My "suffering" helped to bring me closer to Christ and I needed to relay on the words at the bottom of the Divine Mercy Image "Jesus, I trust in You" in a deeper way.
I came to the understanding that was not by chance this project coincided with my pregnancy. I shared the quote from St. John Paul II in the introduction to Divine Mercy for Moms: Sharing the Lessons of St. Faustina, “In the designs of Providence, there are no mere coincidences.” This book was written and designed for all mothers who need to learn the great lesson of Divine Trust, and yet God wanted to show me this in a most profound way in my own life. He gave me a gift and reminded me but we are all called to turn our joys and sorrows over to the Lord, especially in this Holy Year of Mercy.
My sweet and little Elizabeth was born on a peaceful and quiet day of December 26, 2015. There were no school, sports, or activities planned, but rather this day was reserved to rest and relax. She came at the perfect time, with a birth that was sublime. She was a gift I hadn’t asked for, yet I will never forget this amazing blessing of 2015; the year I birthed a book and a baby, not knowing either was heading my way when I sat down to write out my New Year Resolutions that January before! One of the greatest blessing about being a Catholic is that with the help of the Holy Spirit we can achieve new goals that we never knew we were capable of reaching!
May God bless us all as we embark on a new year!
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Copyright 2016 Emily Jaminet
About the Author
Emily Jaminet
Emily Jaminet and her husband have 7 children. Jaminet is the Executive Director of Sacred Heart Enthronement Network, WelcomeHisHeart.com, shares "A Mother's Moment," a daily radio reflection, a podcast host and radio personality. She is the co-author of Divine Mercy For Moms: Sharing the Lessons of St. Faustina and The Friendship Project, Pray Fully, Our Friend Faustina, and her most recent book Secrets of the Sacred Heart. You can read more of Emily’s work at EmilyJaminet.com or InspireTheFaith.com.
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