Oh to find peace!

As we try to imagine how our life will be changing as we walk down this journey of widowhood – it truly is difficult to imagine life alone.   Who can we trust?  Who can we follow down this path with?  Each of us has a unique journey and handles things differently. 

None of us pays attention to those who have buried their spouse unless we are walking that journey.  I believe that is mainly because we do not want to or dream that we will ever have to go down that route. It is much easier to overlook the unhappy things in life and enjoy the happy things in life, right?

When we receive the news that our spouse has deceased, our reactions are either of disbelief or of horror.  Unfortunately, many of us have been near our spouses when this has happened.

• We were sitting next to them when it happened.
• Our spouses were ill and we were anticipating his death.
• They either were in a car accident or a work-related accident.
• Perhaps they were out of town when it happened.

Personally, I do not believe any of these are easier than the other! So many what if’s….  Unless you know someone well when they lost their spouse, one doesn’t think about these things.  I Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) reads:  Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

There is a lot of good info in scripture regarding widows of the Bible.   Miriam Neff has written a Bible Study by the name of Not Alone.  It is an excellent study and one I would do again.  The widows she has studied in this book are:

• The widow who gave two coins – Luke 21:1-4 – generosity
• The widow of Zarephath –  Keturah   part 1 – I kings17:  8-16 – focused
• The widow of Zarepath – Keturah   part 2: – I kings 8: 17-24 – Independent
• The widow and the Unjust Judge – Luke 18:1 – 8 – Persistence
• The widow and her pot of oil Jezabel – II Kings 4:1-7 – Faith-filled
• The widow Naomi – book of Ruth – Experienced
• The widow Ruth – the book of Ruth – Courageous
• The Widow Anna Who Prayed – Luke 2:36-38 – Prayerful
• The widow Mary – the mother of Jesus – Luke 1:26-38 – Tenacity/Determination
• The widow Abigail widow of Nabal then bride of David – I Samuel 25:2-42 – Industrious
• The widow Tamar – twice widowed and childless – Genesis 38 – Risk-Taker
• The widow Bathsheba – II Samuel 1:11-26 and II Samuel 12:24 – Resilient

We can learn from each of these widows in the Bible.  I would suggest reading this book to help you move forward.  There is a lot of good insight in this study.

As we handle each new step along the way, we do have peace. 1 Timothy 5:3-5 reads:  Honor widows that are widows indeed.But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trust in God, and continue in supplications and prayers night and day.

It seems we just need the confidence that we can do it.  And we can with God’s help!  We may also need the guidance of other widows.  In Matthew 25:40  it reads: – And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

I would encourage you to meet regularly with another widow.  Perhaps for coffee, texting back and forth or on the phone.  Rest assured you will be able to move forward and live life whole again.  Does that mean we will not miss our spouse – absolutely not!

Scripture suggests we put our trust in the Lord.  Proverbs 3:5-6 reads:   Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. May you feel God’s blessings and peace in your life.