No one wants to join it. It is suddenly thrust upon a person. You fight it, you resist it, but you are part of it nonetheless. The Widow’s Club.
Only those who have previously joined this Club can truly relate to the new-comer. What makes it more difficult for we who are long-time members is remembering; reliving the moments when we were thrust into the Club kicking and screaming. We know her pain. We grieve for her. Along with her family and others who love her, we want to alleviate her sorrow, but experience tells us that’s impossible.
My friend and coworker, Le Ann, just joined the Club. One moment she was hearing “I love you” from her husband, Mike, then after an unexpected trip to the ER, he was gone. A healthy, strong man with a kind heart. His life ended so abruptly. In her sorrow, it may feel like the end of her life, as well.
Her family and friends offer condolences. We want to help but feel helpless. Sadly, it’s her journey. We come alongside with hugs, empathetic tears, practical help, words of comfort or no words at all. We pray. We weep. That’s all we can do. Still, we grieve for her. We want our friend to be happy again. But it’s going to be quite a while before she’s “back.” Sure, she’ll laugh again. There will be brief moments where she forgets she’s a widow. Then the truth will come crashing in and take her breath away.
She will continue running her business and serving faithfully on staff at church. But the part of her heart that belonged to him will not heal quickly. Deep abiding marital love doesn’t end when a life here on earth does. She will cling to the hope of the promises of God that she will one day be reunited with him. And she will come to learn that God does still have a plan for her future.
She is a woman of grace. She has learned to lean on Jesus. She will continue to lean, because she knows He is her only true source of comfort. He will give her the grace to go on and to keep trusting in Him whose love for them both brought them together in the first place; for their joy, for His purposes, for God’s glory.
I thank God for the hope of eternal life, where all things are made new. Mike knew His Savior. His story is complete.
Le Ann is starting a new chapter. I pray God will fill her with peace, hope, and sweet memories of her beloved.
Be encouraged by Isaiah 25:8-9:
“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.
In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’”
This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’”
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