Seeking Joy In Life's Everyday Moments: The Reason Why...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

This morning I got online and began to do a blog search for WIDOWS, and found very little. So, I decided to write my own! Being a widow myself, I wanted to find resources and others with similar stories. It's not everyday that you meet young widows or widowers who can relate to the issues of single parenting caused from a death of a spouse. I believe that I'm not alone in this quest for fellowship with others who've been widowed.

Just this past month, I've had 4 different women have contacted me, saying "my friend lost her husband." Who can relate to these women? What kind of resources are out there? Where will they draw their strength from? For myself, these were some of the questions I've dealt with & have struggled through. I believe there is a need for a community of widow/widowers to walk through the deep valleys that we will face in our grief. To look forward to new life that is ahead. God knew that one day we would be here, and He will be faithful to carry us through if we choose to walk through it with Him. Christ also gave us the desire for friendship. Someone who understands, who's been down a similar path. Having that common thread in each others stories can be such a huge encouragement.

So, that's what God's laid on my heart. To connect with others, encourage others, and share my story with others. God gave me this story for a purpose. I'm still not sure why??? LOL But I totally believe that there is a reason each of us endure difficulties and hard times. Often times we don't get to choose our circumstances, but we do get to choose how we will deal with them! What are you choosing?

My Story...

On Dec. 2, 2006, I received the phone call every wife prays they will never recieve! "There's been an accident, and Ryan has been hurt."
(...two days earlier, Ryan and 3 co-workers/very close friends, had boarded a cruise ship for a short 3 day retreat to Mexico.) While on board enjoying a walk around the observation deck Ryan noticed a small platform, above them. Being his spontaneous, impulsive self, Ryan climbed up. As he pulled himself up, he was hit from behind by the HUGE rotating radar antenna. (He never saw it coming!) Ryan feel about 10feet and lie unconscience in his friends arms.
They couldn't transport Ryan from the ship w/o bringing it into port in San Diego. Once there they took him to UCSD. He remained there in a coma for 12 days before he went home to be with the Lord. We were thankful Ryan was able to be a organ donor, allowing us to give others the hope for healing. We prayed for a miracle and we got one. It may be not have been the miracle of Ryan's body being fully healed, but he was fully restored and made whole in Christ, on Dec. 14th.
During those days we were in S.D. God made Himself known in SO many countless ways. His provision, support, comfort, direction, care, and love blew me away! It's possible to make decisions in times like these, yet God always gave us confirmation and peace with each decision we had to make.
Ryan spent his life living for the Lord. He wasn't perfect, but he lived his life with purpose making an impact on everyone who met him.
I was priviledged to have been married to my best friend and the man of my dreams for 8 1/2 yrs. We served in youth ministry for 7yrs in his home church. I am blessed to have 3 precious pieces of Ryan that God has entrusted to me (for now). Of course it's difficult not having their amazing daddy here to watch them grow and be a part of our lives, but he left a legacy we will forever cherish. God used Ryan while he was here, but He is also being glorified through Ryan's death.

7 comments:

chelanersJanuary 31, 2009 at 5:12 PM
I'm excited to start reading about your journey!! Thanks for being obedient to what God has called!
MIMILEEJanuary 31, 2009 at 5:43 PM
How wonderful of you to hear God's call and minister to others in their grief! I am so sorry about your loss and pray that God will use you in a special and show you daily "why" He allowed this to occur in your life. God Bless!
JustineFebruary 1, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Thank you! I am also a young widow. I lost my husband suddenly 5 1/2 years ago. Over the past year God has put me in a position to fellowship with two other local widows with young children. It has been neat to be able to encourage each other. I am looking forward to reading what you have to say.
Johanna VanderBeekFebruary 1, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Good job, friend, for listening to your heart's desire and being bold in trusting that God has so much good in mind for you. I enjoy reading your thoughts...keep them coming as you feel led. I know that this place to journal will bless many- it already has blessed me! :) ps- let me know when you are in sr again. I'd love to see you and meet your beautiful children!
AnonymousFebruary 9, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Thank you for starting your blog. I was online tonight searching. I am recently widowed and raising six kids. My husband died of ALS. Its nice to know there's someone out there with such a wonderful christian outlook. You have encouraged me.
KathyMarch 21, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Hi, I'm Justin's mom, came over from Shauna's blog, and was surprised to read about them in your post. (I'm so glad Justin took your son to the archery shoot!) Then I read the rest of your blog, and was impressed about God's amazing timing. Just tonight I had dinner with two friends who graduated with me from nursing school last June, and found out that one of our classmates, with 3 young boys, became a widow in December. I was shocked! I was thinking about how to minister to her, checked out Shauna's blog, and came here. Only God! I will tell Jaylynn about your blog. She is a sweet 30-something Christian gal from Powell Butte (where Shauna is from) whose husband had 2 liver transplants after their children were born. I feel like God has shown me a way to offer her fellowship and support from someone who can understand a lot of what she is going through. Thanks for sharing! Many will be blessed through you, I know! God bless!
widowed but not aloneApril 7, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Thank you for your comments, it's encouragement like you have given that makes me want to write and connect with each of you and your stories.