What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan?

In this episode of Eternal Echoes, host Katharine Rose sits down with author, podcaster, and longtime caregiver Ruthie Gray to talk about faith, calling, and God’s sustaining grace in the “sandwich season” of life—those years when you’re caring for aging parents while still raising children.

Ruthie shares her powerful story of stepping into caregiving at age 45, walking through 15 years of medical crises, transitions, and responsibilities that stretched her far beyond what she thought she could handle.

With honesty, wisdom, and humor, she reflects on how God met her in hospital waiting rooms, daily exhaustion, and quiet moments of surrender—and how He gently reminded her that this was the plan now.

Together, Katharine and Ruthie talk about:

-Holding your plans loosely and trusting God day by day

-Finding “joy gems” in the middle of chaos

-Caring for yourself without guilt while caring for others

-Discovering purpose and calling in seasons you didn’t choose

-Leaning into Scripture, gratitude, and praise when life feels overwhelming

If you’re navigating caregiving, transition, burnout, or the ache of wondering “Is this all there is?”—this conversation will remind you that God is closer than your breath, faithful in every season, and still writing your story.

Wise words worth echoing:

-“God is there and He became so much more personal to me because I was listening.”

-“You must hold your plans loosely.”

-“I think He just wanted to teach me that I wasn't in control. I was never in control. He was always in control of every situation.”

-“Some days you just have to take it a day at a time and there's enough grace for every single day.”

-“Not everything is terrible at the same time.”

-“The more that I lean into God's truths in His word, the more grateful I am that He sought to save me.”

-“He's in control. It's all His plan. And I'm just a vessel.”

Connect with Ruthie Gray:

Website: https://www.ruthiegray.com/

Empty Nest Awakening (book): https://www.ruthiegray.com/book/

Sandwich Season Sanity podcast: https://www.ruthiegray.com/sandwich-season-sanity-podcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authenticonlinemarketingpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthie_gray_author/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/ruthie-gray

Follow Katharine and Eternal Echoes:

Facebook and Instagram: @EternalEchoesMinistry

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eternal.echoes.mi/

Substack: http://katharinerrose.substack.com

Website: www.eternalechoesministry.com

Email: ⁠⁠Katharine@eternalechoesministry.com⁠⁠ for speaking events or interviews

Sow a seed: https://donorbox.org/eternal-echoes-giving

Watch this episode on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=ATNL36eHuew&feature=youtu.be