"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. " Romans 15:13

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?

7 comments:

  1. I'm excited to start reading about your journey!! Thanks for being obedient to what God has called!

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  3. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  7. 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.

    ReplyDelete