What to expect of your new life?

Oh, how life seems to be changing since the beginning of Covid 19 from a couple of years ago! It seems like many lives have changed regardless if they have become widowed or not.  Life certainly changes a lot with becoming widowed and we seem to feel so alone!  With that been said, our lives all changed on what we were able to do because of Covid. 

If your spouse has died within the last couple of years, you are aware of the how you were or were not able to plan their funeral. Many went ahead and had a small funeral and later on planned a celebration of life for their spouse.  Also, many of the Grief Share groups were not meeting or meeting via Zoom.  Although Zoom works for most people, it is not as personal as meeting together.  At our last coffee a couple of weeks ago, there were about 12 that have not joined a Grief Share Group either because they were new to widowhood or the groups were not available to them when they were ready for it

Each widow who was there, was there for a reason.  Some of us have been widowed for many years and some brand new.   I am working on figuring out how we can put together a Grief Share session soon for our ladies.

For each of you who had a loss, what to expect in your new journey is difficult to understand.  In 1 Timothy 5:3 and verse 5 reads:  Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. Honor widows who are truly widows. … The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.  These verses are so real but when one is going through this journey, it may be difficult to totally understand.  We truly need to have someone who understands this journey to help us along. 

So much of the scriptures talks about how we can rely on God to help us through so many things in life.  If we do believe this, God will put those in our path to help us through this stage of our lives.  Acts 9:41 reads:  He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.

You may have had many events in your life which you have needed to heal from the wound.    Each of us processes things differently even though many parts of our journey are similar.  As you have gone through difficulties in your life, how have you reflected on what did or did not help you?  Some options of hope may be:

• Meet with someone who has walked down your journey to see how they handled different situations.
• What is your belief in God?  Do you have a faith that would help you sustain what you are going through?  
• Talk with your pastor, priest or rabbi where you attend church.
• If it is medical, speak with the hospital to find out who you can talk with.
• What about your trusted friends?
• Perhaps join a support group that helps with what you are going through.
• I also recommend a counselor to help you through this difficult time.

Remember God is there to be with us each step of the way.  Psalms 68:5 confirms He is with us by reading:  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. I so understand that as you are walking this path, there are times you may not feel this.  Take one day at a time or one step at a time!   You may need to open up to someone you trust to help you through this. 

His promise in Romans 8:38-39 reads:  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Remember, even though sometimes we do not feel God near us, He is!

Please know you are in my prayers.  This may be a tough journey right now, but you will get through it.  I highly recommend you talk to someone on the list above.

Blessings to each of you!!!!!