Where Is Your Focus as a Widow?

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Today, Fresh Start Momentum continues a SUMMER SISTER SERIES highlighting the lives of some famous and amazing women who might just encourage us in our own struggles. True stories that can give us insights for our lives in the 21st Century and how all women--married or not--have always been important throughout history. Relax as we cheer on our "sisters" and their stunning journeys.

Solving Nightmares

Each week we are presenting a woman that can teach us life lessons. Someone who is not perfect, but is human like us. Some are single, single-again or widowed as in today's story. The timeline may be ancient but stay with us while we learn how God honored and used women throughout history. He still does.

No one can possibly know unless they have been one themselves, but the widow has a tremendous road to travel. Psychologists state it is one of life’s most traumatic losses next only to the loss of a child. Add to this the absence of income (if the husband was the only wage-earner), and then multiply it by the loneliness factor, as most widows live alone. It’s what nightmares are made of.

Anna was married just seven years when her husband died. She didn’t give up on life though. She followed in the footsteps of Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah who all cared about their country’s relationship with the Lord. We could ask ourselves, how often do we pray for our country, state, and city? How about our leaders?

Anna was a godly woman who became a prophetess. In fact, she spent so much time in the Temple praying, she eventually made it her living arrangement! Considering her situation, we may wonder, why not?

Basilica of Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

Anna worshiped and fasted without a break. She literally devoted herself to the Lord. It sounds like she was waiting for instructions from the Lord, doesn’t it? It surely took a lot of listening. Maybe easier for her than in our high-tech world of noise and chaos.

When it came time for Mary and Joseph to present their child, Jesus, at the Temple, Anna was there. Notice she made herself available for God to use her. Anna witnessed the dedication, praised God, and then came over to speak to Mary and Joseph.

We can only imagine what was said. It appears she was more than delighted to see this child! She spoke about the Messiah to all who had been waiting for God to rescue Jerusalem.

Anna remained a widow all her days until she was 84.

Our Part and Purpose

We know women naturally live longer than men. This may be why God commanded us all to care for each other, especially widows, in whatever way we can. As we see in the life of Anna, our lives can make a difference to others, no matter what our status in life.

God has a purpose for each one of us in every walk of life. Let’s not waste our time on earth sitting in sorrow and loneliness. Find a "sister," friend, or mentor and become the light in their world! Then listen for the voice of God.

*The story of Anna can be found in the Bible, Luke 2:36-38.

If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone. 1 Timothy 5:16