Overcoming Adversity - God does not abandon us

For 34 years, my husband, Jose Manuel Sanchez Briones, and I worked at the Tyson plant in Lexington. The plant was five minutes from our home. We knew the work and our supervisors, and we were accustomed to getting up at the right time to arrive at work. Through our work there, we provided for our five children, and, thanks be to God, they never lacked food, shoes, a roof over their heads, medical care, or medicine. We also had the opportunity to visit our relatives in Mexico.

When we were told that the plant was closing, at first I did not understand the full impact it would have on thousands of families. As we walked through the hallway, we saw people with red eyes, crying. We were handed a sheet of paper stating that Jan. 20 would be our last day of work.

That final day was very sad. The workers were throwing their equipment into cardboard containers, and many people were crying. I cried, too. I told my husband, “Don’t even tell me not to cry, because I’ll cry even more.” I cried the entire way home from the plant. I still remember it, and it still makes me very sad because we gave more than half of our lives to that plant.

The plant gave us a great deal, but in an instant, it took everything away. Our lives changed completely. Thanks be to God, our daughter spoke with some people at JBS in Grand Island, and we were quickly able to find work there. We started on Jan. 26. I am completely certain that it was thanks to God because, for older people, finding employment is no longer easy — especially when we do not speak, read, or write English.

José Manuel is 65 years old, and I am 60. We now get up at 3 a.m. to travel from Lexington to Grand Island. Sometimes we wake up at 1 or 1:30 because we are worried about oversleeping, encountering bad weather, or not arriving on time. We return home around 6 p.m. We eat dinner, shower, prepare our lunches, care for our pets and go to bed because we must get up early again the next day.

We have a great deal of stress, exhaustion, and worry. My husband has lost about 35 pounds, and I have lost about 12. But, thanks be to God, we have jobs, and we are grateful. Every day, we place our family in His hands. We pray for everyone who leaves home and travels the roads, asking that we may return home on our own two feet. We also ask Him for the strength and fortitude to finish the workday because we do not know what we may encounter.

When I am tired or worried, I say: “Lord, we accept your will. Give us the strength, fortitude, and courage to continue in this work and in this struggle.” God does not abandon us. He is present at every moment, and He will not give us more than we can bear. He has His time and His hour; He knows when, how, and why He does things.

My faith has grown stronger as I have drawn closer to the Church. Every day, I turn to my Lord Jesus, Mother Mary, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Raphael, St. Gabriel, and my guardian angel. I pray at home, on the road, and while I work. I thank God and bring him my petitions as a mother, wife, sister, and Catholic. I also pray for the Holy Father.

On Sundays, José Manuel and I get up, shower and dress, and then we go to church. We arrive early because I lead the rosary before Mass. I also sing in the church choir. I am very happy to serve in this way. On the days when an urgent need prevents me from leading the rosary, I feel as though something is missing.

Father Chávez said something: “We were not born at Tyson; we were not born at Tyson.” When we were born, we brought nothing with us; we were born naked and small. Now we can walk, we have what we need, and, above all, we know the One who can help us. We know who is the way, the truth and the life.

Therefore, I tell those who are experiencing adversity not to become discouraged. Draw close to God, love Him and speak to Him because He is there to listen to us. Entrust yourselves to Mother Mary as well. She is the greatest intercessor before her beloved Son and always covers us with her mantle.

God gives us what we need, though not always what we want. He does not abandon us; He is with us and does not fail us. If one door closes, He will open another because He has plans for each and every one of us. Let us not lose hope or complain about God’s will. Things happen for a reason. We must place everything in His hands because He does not make mistakes. His time and His hour are perfect. †