A gift of hope
We’ve just experienced a season of love and hope–Christmas celebrates the greatest gift of love–our Savior. The coming of a new year opens a world of possibilities and hope for a happy and blessed New Year. I hope your holiday was all you wished for, but my message today shares with you another gift of hope.
Just recently, Marilyn Nutter published Hope for Widows: Reflections on Mourning, Living, and Change. The message of her book speaks to me. It’s been nearly four years since my dear husband went to his heavenly home.
But I still grieve.
Grief is like a roller coaster.
Grief is a rough ride–up and down–twists and turns–around and around–and sudden stops and starts. The pain may ease as we roll into the station. But before we know it, sorrow rams us as if we’d crashed into a brick wall. And the cycle begins again.
I read Hope for Widows over the holidays. Even though my loss isn’t recent, it’s still painful. Nutter’s book keeps the promise of it’s title. She provides the gift of hope for those mourning the loss of a loved one.
The gift of hope
We need hope to keep going–to get up and face a new day. Hope helps us step back into life after a painful loss. The gift of hope allows us to continue the journey of life.
This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (Lamentations 3:21-22)
If you or someone you love has experienced the loss of a spouse, this book will help on the journey through grief. Your life will never be the same again, and you will always miss your loved one. Hope for Widows offers connection through our grief, from someone who has experienced the pain of loss firsthand.
The link to Marilyn’s website is below, along with the Amazon link to purchase Hope for Widows. For those who comment on this message, I’ll be drawing a name for one person to receive a copy of Hope for Widows. I’ll contact the winner by email on Monday, January 15.
Prayer: Father, You understand the pain of losing a loved one–the sorrow of loss. You are always with us when we are hurting. We pray for those who are experiencing grief and sorrow. Please hold them close in your loving arms and grant peace, comfort, and hope. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
I think of you, Ms. Marlyn, Ms. Edwina, Ms. Marjorie, Mr. Jimmy, and far too many other precious writing friends who face each day with the lingering grief of losing a spouse. I’ve sometimes wondered how becoming a widow, or widower, is like that of a divorcee? I don’t think that divorce can even compare in many ways, and perhaps losing a parent or child is more similar. Yet, the loss of a spouse can be devastating. I am blessed to have not yet experienced the death of a spouse, and I pray daily that our merciful God take me first; often praying, “If you don’t take us in the Rapture, Lord, take me first please because I’m not sure I’m strong enough to survive that loss in this life.” When it comes to my widowed friends, my prayer is simply that God use me to lighten their burden in whatever way I can. I too have started reading Ms. Marilyn’s new book, more to help me gain a perspective that allows me to be a but more empathetic and understanding of those who are navigating the devastating loss of a spouse. Thank you for sharing this helpful book Ms. Katherine. God’s blessings my gentle friend.
I’m so grateful for your prayers, J.D. You are right in recognizing that the loss of a spouse is devastating. It’s only with God’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace that we can endure the journey of grief. He gives us strength when we have none. Having compassionate and caring friends and loved ones like you, my friend, bring us such comfort. Thank you, kind sir.
I haven’t experienced this loss myself but I watched my mother grieve the loss of my dad. She struggled until she left this life to meet him in heaven. Marilyn’s book is a great encouragement for those in this situation.
Grief is hard and great love (as your mother had with your dad) leads to an enormous loss when our loved one goes to be with Jesus. I’m thankful our loving Father understands the pain of sorrow and loss and is always with us on the journey. Wishing you happiness and blessings, Barbara, and may God continue to bless your ministry of service to Him.
God bless you, my friend. I know the holidays are especially painful. May His hope and the love of family and friends surrounding you keep you moving forward. God has so much more for you to do for His kingdom. I feel sure of this.
Suzanne 🥰
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, Suzanne. In your message, you share one of the most important actions that guide us through the journey of grief–the love and compassion of loved ones and friends. I’m so grateful for the blessing you’ve shared with me.
Praying for peace and comfort for you and so many others, Katherine.
Thank you, Diana. I’m grateful for your prayers. Praying for you as well.
God bring you His comfort and love, Katherine. Thank you for sharing your burden to help lighten the loads of others. God bless!
During times of sorrow and grief, God sends his special messengers to bring peace and comfort. Thank you, Nancy for your kindness and compassion. May God bless you.
Thanks Katherine for this post on loosing spouses. It is a pain that I also have been experiencing for a little over 4 years. May God bless those on this journey with you and me. Continuing to enjoy your posts each week.
I know yours has been a challenging journey, Martha, and you are reaching out to help others in their grief. Your posts on Facebook bring comfort and peace. Thank you for your loving kindness.
Thank you for the book rec and the prayer, Katherine.❤
Thank you, Priscilla. I’m grateful for your kind encouragement. Wishing you a blessed week.
God bless you Ms. Katherine. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a spouse. Prayers for God to fill you with His presence and joy.
Thank you, Lisa. The loss of a loved one is always hard, but a spouse is so close to us, the sorrow is beyond our ability to fully understand, because we’ve lost part of ourselves. Thank you for your compassion.
A touching post, Katherine, thanks for your transparency. Loss can be so life-changing, and I appreciate your encouragement to stay our hearts on the Lord. You and Marilyn are lovely examples of how to walk that out. God bless!
Thank you for your kind words, Wendy. Loss is hard and we will all face it during our lives. Marilyn reminds us that God is always with us and that He will send encouragers to help us on the journey. Wishing you a happy and blessed 2024.
I’ve had friends and family to experience the death of a spouse recently and they remain at the top of my prayer list. I pray that all of you find a measure of comfort and hope as you carry on with life. I grateful Marilyn shared her reflections in a way that uplifts and fills us with hope.
Thank you for your prayers, Candyce. Grief is a strange thing–one day we think we’re handling things fairly well and suddenly we feel we’ve been felled by a enormous tree and we’re trapped by the heavy weight of sorrow–again. Your prayers are precious to us.
Thinking of you, Katherine. The holidays sometimes amplify loss. I pray the Comforter make himself known to you in tangible ways. He’s good at that.
Yes, Terri, you are exactly right, any holiday or special memory is a catalyst leading to deeper sorrow. We remember the happier times with warm hearts, but those joys also remind us of how much we’ve lost. As you point out, our Counselor and Comforter is always there to help us on the journey. Thank you for you thoughts and prayers.
What an amazing gift of hope that Marilyn has provided in her book. I’m so glad it has reached those who need it most.
Praying for you dear Katherine. No one ever fully understands the pain of grief.
You are right, Yvonne. Marilyn has shared wisdom, hope, and love with all of us going through the journey of grief. I know her words have helped many others, as well as me. Thank you for sharing your words of comfort, my friend.
Thank you so much Katherine for your testimony. I am grateful for your honesty and pointing all of us to Jesus. May He continue to be your strength and comfort daily.
Thank you, Sylvia. I couldn’t have continued on this journey without our loving Savior’s comfort and love. He is our strength and and protector. May He bring you peace and blessings, my friend.
Katherine, thank you for sharing this book of hope and for your beautiful prayer for those suffering loss. I’m sure this book will touch and bless many.
Thank you for your kind encouragement, LuAnn. Marilyn’s book has helped me on this journey of grief and I believe all who have experienced the loss of a loved one will find comfort and hope within the pages of Hope for Widows.
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing that though you husband died a few years ago, you still grieve. I pray that Marilyn’s book provides many widows with hope.
Thank you for your compassionate response, Joanna. Marilyn’s book brings hope and more. It’s comforting to know that someone understands the pain and challenges that follow the loss of a spouse.