The Widow's & Widower's WalkSample

REACHING BEYOND OUR GRIEF TO ENCOURAGE ANOTHER

No one likes death, and we sure do not like it when it is the death of a spouse. But I am a firm believer that we grow through circumstances.  I know I am growing and learning every day from having experienced this loss.

One of the reasons I decided to write about being widowed was that I recognized that I am not in this nightmare alone. It is astounding how many suffer grief from being widowed.  According to my research, as of January 20, 2021, there are 3.48 million men widowed in the United States and 11.27 million women.  That is a lot of heartbreak, and you and I are among the statistics.  It also tells us that women are outliving their spouses.

How do we climb up out of the depths of grief?  I don’t think there is any one answer that will fit all people, but I want to share what I have learned. Although from time to time, the wave of grief still resurfaces, I have discovered that the more we think of others, the less time we have to think of our own circumstances.

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  —2 Corinthians 1:2-4 

We can only be comforted by God as much as we will allow Him to comfort us.  The more we seek Him and commune with Him, the more we will feel His favor.  Not too long after my husband died, I reached out to God and asked Him to be my companion, my watchman, my husband.

I knew that there were going to be a lot of lonely times ahead, and that decisions Dan used to make would now be my responsibility.  The harder I leaned on the Lord for help, the more favor I felt.

I decided to reach out to others by starting an online ministry for women who have become widows. It is a private group by invitation only, because I do not have the resources to take it public.  The ministry reaches a circle of my friends within a circle of their friends.

CAN YOU RELATE?

In yesterday's study, I asked you to think of a time when you felt comforted by another person and through God.  I hope you have experienced that kind of comfort.  Knowing what it feels like, it just makes sense that if we appreciated it, others will as well.  Perhaps it is time for you to think of ways you can reach out to comfort others.  It may not be comforting others in death; it might be volunteering for a local organization or increasing your involvement in your church.  There are a myriad of ways to help others who need help. Please join me tomorrow as we go through the night watch.

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