There are two things I frequently say to my children. The first is, “The truth will be revealed.” The second is “There’s always a reason.” I’ve said it so often that now they start saying it on their own before I even open my mouth.
These are more than cute little sayings to pacify my children in difficult times: they are my legacy of faith. They are the truths I want to instill in them and the path to trusting in God above all things. Early on, I realized that I could catechize my children to the nth degree, teaching them all the nuts and bolts of the Catholic faith. But if I didn’t instill in them trust in God, none of the rest would matter.
I call these sayings my “credo,” formulated when I was in my early teens while I was trying to navigate the storm of my mother’s mental instability and abuse. They’re based on what has become my go-to Bible verse, the one that sustains me and recenters me when I get anxious or frustrated with the way things are going in my life or in the lives of the people I care about. The verse comes from the Gospel of Luke and are Jesus’ words to his disciples, “For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light” (Luke 8:17).
This verse reminds me of three essential things: God knows everything about us – our needs, desires, hopes, fears, joys, sorrows, strengths, weaknesses, tendencies, preferences, flaws, and gifts – and he loves us tenderly because of them. He cares for every aspect of our lives and beings. That also means that our sins and what lies in the deepest recesses of our hearts are known to God. We cannot hide anything from him. Therefore, we must constantly strive for Christian perfection. So too, the sins and darkness in the hearts of others cannot be hidden from God. No matter what evil they’ve spread nor what they’ve done to hurt or harm others, God sees it and will deal with them accordingly. We need not worry about revenge or retaliation; God will handle it. Finally, the verse reminds me that no matter how aggravating, threatening, painful, or confounding a situation may be, God is in complete control and has a benevolent reason for what he is permitting or formulating in our lives. It may not feel like it, but God is indeed working for our greater good. No matter how awful things are, there’s always a reason, and the truth will be revealed.
My credo has gotten me through some horrific times in my life, and I have no doubt it will get me through whatever lies in store for me. I may not have all the answers (or any of the answers, for that matter), but I have confidence that all will be well in God’s time and in his way. Passing my credo on to others has become my passion, and hopefully, it will become my legacy.
Copyright Marge Steinhage Fenelon, 2022.
Marge Steinhage Fenelon is a Catholic wife and mother, award-winning author and journalist, speaker, blogger, columnist, and popular radio personality. Her newest (amazing) book, based on historical documents, testimonies, personal interviews, and expert analysis, America’s Mary: The Story of Our Lady of Good Help, chronicles for the first time the United States’ only Church-approved Marian apparition.
Our Novena Prayers for the Holy Souls In Purgatory
*May be prayed in a cemetery or from home
We’ll be using this gem I discovered in the Pieta Prayer booklet. While it is intended for praying at cemeteries (staying in your car counts), it can be done from home or at church. I have done it for years, and try to attend Mass each day as well! I love walking around the cemetery, prayerfully reading each name while I recite the following Novena Prayers:
- Five Apostle’s Creeds;
- One Hail, Holy Queen;
- One each of the Our Father (Lord’s Prayer), Hail Mary and Glory be; &
- Conclude with Requiem Prayer:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, and may they rest in peace. Amen.
