Trusting God, Living Simply, and Raising a Family of 14 (The Drew Mariani Show)

What does it look like to trust God not just spiritually but financially? Sam Fatzinger’s story is a striking answer. A wife, mother of 14, and co-author of a book on simple living, she shared how she and her husband made a bold decision early in marriage: to surrender everything — finances, fertility, and future — to God. “We said, okay, Lord, we are putting our marriage and our fertility in your hands,” she explained. That trust was immediate and tangible. They were married, and soon after, children began arriving one after another. Sam embraced her calling as a stay-at-home mom while her husband worked and eventually launched a small Christian bookstore. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was enough. “We lived very, very simply… It wasn’t a booming business, but it paid the bills.” As their family grew, they resisted the pressure to accumulate more. No fancy vacations. No unnecessary spending. Instead, they held fast to a principle that guided everything: live simply and trust God to provide. And He did, sometimes in unexpected ways. A foreclosure home became a blessing. A friend offered a new career path. A community stepped in to help when needed. Looking back, Sam sees a pattern of grace, not coincidence. Their sacrifices weren’t about deprivation, but about choosing what mattered most. Her advice is both practical and spiritual: Every family makes trade-offs. The question is whether those sacrifices are ordered toward what truly lasts. In a culture that often equates security with wealth, Sam’s witness offers a vision rooted in faith, generosity, and trust in Divine Providence. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.