When Life Throws You a Plot Twist

It was Thanksgiving evening. We just finished dinner and dessert. Family was talking among each other, sharing stories and memories. My sister was talking about the beautiful wedding my brother Mike had with his wonderful new wife two weeks prior. The future was shining bright ahead.

As we were all chatting, I saw a text from my brother’s wife come through. The approximate message was, “I’m taking Mike to the ER. He has a high fever and is unresponsive.”

What?

For a split second, I heard the world stop. Then, just as quickly, life continued. Questions were being asked. Plans were being made. Shock rippled through the once buoyant room.

The next thing we knew, me, my sister, and mom flew across the country to see Mike. Over the next few days we learned more about the medical situation and of course we have been praying constantly for his healing. We visited him daily in the ICU and prayed that today he will come off the ventilator. While his health is improving, this looks to be a long, hard road.

There will be many challenges for the whole family, but especially for my sister-in-law. This was a definite plot twist to the life they envisioned on their wedding day just 2 weeks ago.

So how do you handle such a twist? In the blink of an eye, everything changes. I don’t pretend to know the real answers to this question. It is probably different for everyone. What I can share are a few things that bring me peace. My Catholic faith and Jesus are my rocks.

First, I go to Jesus. Visit him. In Adoration. He’s there in every tabernacle in every Catholic church. Let Him come to you “through the silence.” Who else would you bring your biggest worries to? Who else understands suffering any more than He does?

Next, I pray. Times like this we may be too weary to pray. But I look at it this way. Do you stop talking to your best friend when these things happen? Not likely. You go to them. Where would you be without that support? Where would you be without His support?

I look to the saints. I am doing the Consecration to the Eucharist with my parish and the book 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. I had to catch up this morning since I hadn’t been with the book in several days. But I read a quote from St. Therese: “If I did not live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look for the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.”

This spoke to me. It is overwhelming to look at the whole big picture – a picture that isn’t even complete yet. And comparing things to the past will make this trial seem even bigger than it already is. The saints always have wisdom in how to handle life and its plot twists.

We still do not know what the future holds for my brother and his new family, but we can be there for each other and help ease the burden. We will keep praying. We will keep hoping and we will keep taking it one step at a time.

Has life thrown you a plot twist? What did you do for it?