Jesus Took Care of Everything

Ellen Mongan looks back at her long marriage and ponders what God has helped her learn.

My husband and I are on a January pause to rest, restore, relax, and retreat. We are “winter birding” in Florida. After multiple family gatherings from Thanksgiving to New Year's, we are “peopled out.” We are praying and discerning for 2024, asking God to open our hearts and lives for His will in the new year.

We have prayed for God-encounters. He has not only answered that prayer, but He has poured out His grace in abundance. We are listening intently to those we encounter. People are sometimes used as messengers from God. Their words and life experiences may teach you what you need to know. This is helpful if you are at a crossroads in your life. Prayerfully discern to avoid being misled. No one knows everything; everyone knows something, and life is a journey of learning.

In my teens, the road I had planned to take to the heart of God was to become a nun. I was sure it was the fastest way to reach heaven. I took a small detour before giving my whole heart to God. I became a flight attendant and met the “man of my dreams” along the way. Patrick was God’s choice for my life. We married on May 1, 1974, and began the journey of matrimony.

Pat, a physician, shared with his anorectic fiancé, “I do not know if we can have children.” God proved his theory wrong when, after a month-long honeymoon, we discovered I was pregnant. We embarked again together on the journey of parenthood.

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Our eighth baby, Zachary, died at two and a half hours of age. He was full-term and left us way too soon. We were unprepared and devastated. God led us through the valley of the shadow of death together. Never had we needed Jesus more than in that season of grieving. That bitter fruit, after long suffering, was turned to sweetness years later as we shared Zachary’s story with the world. We became the arms of Christ to those who found themselves on this road.

While we were still raising children of our own, Pat and I entered the road of grandparenting! Life was busy, but God’s grace was sufficient, as always. He guided the way, as I will admit we did not know the way. Now we have traveled that road fifteen times. Grandchildren are our delight.

Each unknown territory, from birth to death, has been faced with Jesus at our side. Weddings, births, and sacramental celebrations bring us great joy. We rejoice with those who rejoice. On the rough, lonely road of the death of three parents, unexpected trials, and loss of jobs we have learned to draw close to Jesus and let Him carry us.

Click to tweet:
Each unknown territory, from birth to death, has been faced with Jesus at our side. #CatholicMom

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When the road ahead in your life is unfamiliar, devastating, or hard and you feel all alone, do not be afraid. Take Jesus’s hand and let Him guide you. Listen for His still small voice in your heart. He knows the way. His grace is sufficient. He will be there every step of the way. He even sends people who are seasoned travelers of the road you are on to share their wisdom with you, to assure you, and to love you.

As we look back upon almost fifty years of marriage, we can thank Jesus for the many seasons He has guided us through.  Whenever we are surrounded by our seven children, four sons-in-law and two daughters-in-law, and fifteen grandchildren, we feel blessed. I can safely say, many times I did not always know the road ahead. The Heavenly Father has taught me everything I know.

As I sit in the Adoration chapel authoring this article, I am overcome with God’s goodness. I did not know that it would turn out this way, but I am glad it did. Jesus took care of everything. I will rest assuredly in His arms forever.

Surrender Novena, Day 5 

And when I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in My arms; I will let you find yourself, like children who have fallen asleep in their mother’s arms, on the other bank of the river. What troubles you and hurts you immensely are your reason, your thoughts and worry, and your desire at all costs to deal with what afflicts you.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything! (repeat 10 times)
(via Catholic Exchange)

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