Be encouraged that God is not finished with us yet.
New beginnings in life are mostly wonderful and exciting. When God opens a door of opportunity and we walk through it, we can find a sense of fulfillment in following where He leads. But there is a new beginning that is not wanted by most women. It is the beginning of widowhood. It is a time in life when dramatic changes come, especially for those who have been married for a long time.
As a new widow myself, I understand the grief and sense of loss. But as a believer, I also understand the comfort and healing that comes from our Savior Jesus Christ. I would have been lost in my grief if I had not been lifted in prayer by so many others in those first months following the death of my husband. But God faithfully provided support and encouragement from lifelong friends. And knowing we have the spirit of God who intercedes for us when we cannot pray for ourselves is comfort.
And yet, there is a reality to face. The first time I had to write the word “widow” on a form was when it became real to me that I was now alone. As widows, the temptation to isolate ourselves is normal, but not wise. Loneliness is a common feeling that if not addressed immediately, we can find ourselves wallowing in grief. And yes, God gives us the grief process to guide us toward healing. But He does not want us to stop there.
Therefore, the best thing we can do in that moment is call on the best friend we can ever have; and that is Jesus. He can give us peace in our situation that no other can. It is then that we can accept our new beginning. Our marriage was a season in our lives. But now we enter a new spring season of beginnings. Be encouraged that God is not finished with us yet. There is something around the bend just waiting for us to get there.
"Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."
~Isaiah 43:19 (NASB95)
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