The Widow

When you meet me on the street, in the store, or at church, you may approach me with one of two attitudes. Either way, I know I am calling the shots; that how I respond to you upon our first meeting after my dear one’s death is a very weighty matter.


You encounter me, either accidentally or intentionally, and I can see you are awaiting a response. I smile, and want to reassure you that I am ready to continue in the land of the living. Even though I am emotionally fragile, I can sense you need me to be strong. With God’s help, I am!

The other way I am approached is with your assumption that I am falling apart and need you to put me back together. This intention is far from helpful, but you don’t know that, and I understand. I must create space between us so you can see the God of all Comfort is at work in me, just as he promised. To do that, I will be brief in my response, cordial, but reserved.

For Our God is faithful. He is who he says he is and does what he says he will do. After years of being invited and responding to his invitation to get to know Jesus Christ by reading his word, studying and praying, his presence has taken on a new dimension to me. He is with me now daily, in my grief. Jesus, the LORD of life, who is more real and precious to me in this pain than he has ever been in all my joys. Praise be to the name of the LORD Jesus Christ who shares our infirmities and comforts us. He who conquers sin and the grave is faithful and true. Amen. Doma