Writing is one of my passions. Back when I had my first child, I kept a diary of sorts every day about her for five years. When our second was born I did the same. Then our third.
By the time our fourth was born, my record-keeping became a little more sketchy and our fifth simply has notes and all paperwork stuffed into a book I’d planned to write in.
Life got crazy and I couldn’t keep up.
Still it wasn’t many years after our last child was born, I found myself with paper and pen in hand —-writing thoughts, memories, ideas, plans and pretty much about whatever was going on in my life at the time. I had no idea why. It was just something I was compelled to do.
It was actually pregnant with our last that it occurred to me writing might be something I could do ‘for real’. I began writing devotionals and became prolific in several different devotional magazines. It caused me to begin dreaming.
‘What if….’
When our youngest child went to college, I entered that world, as well. I loved the classes where writing was required, and I excelled. It seemed to be my happy place. My writing began taking other forms and I eventually found myself writing for the disability community alongside my Christian writing.
It is said we all have a purpose in life. God has put us on this earth with a specific task in mind, although he’s given many of us a variety of talents to work with. Yet, countless of us struggle with questions like:
What am I supposed to do?
What talents or gifts have I been given?
And even when we recognize our gifts, what do we do with them?
Jesus talks about his creation in Colossians 1:16 “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
Notice the last two words: ‘for him’. This is a solid indicator that we are here for a reason. He has a purpose for our lives. It isn’t about us. It’s about Him!
Becoming a widow is not the end of our story.
It’s just a new season.
Still, our world changes when we became widows. We wonder if our calling has changed now that our spouse is gone. Questions about identity surface. Everything seems different, even in the way people interact with us, leaving us wondering: What’s my new role now? Do I still fit in? I’m alone…. what now? These are valid and often haunting questions for a widow, and many of us quietly carry them!
Sometimes we even feel a little guilty for wanting more. There can be fear in starting over; because anyone who has gone through this will tell you, it’s not just about “moving forward.” And that can be frightening.
Media all around us is dedicated to making us believe ‘everything is about us’! It tells us should do whatever we want, when we want and how we want. It doesn’t matter how it affects other people, what others think, or even what the consequences might be. That message says satisfying yourself, right now —at all cost—is what matters.
The truth is, it isn’t about us at all —not if we believe in a God who created us.
As believers we have been given a commission that continues throughout our lives. We’ve also been given divine gifts to share with others which will further the Kingdom of God.
Our purpose is not buried!
How we live out that purpose depends on the gifts and talents we’ve been given. Some are called to be pastors. Others are passionate about music. Some are wonderful encouragers, or love working with youth. Others enjoy sharing their story serving meals. And then there are people like me, who share their story writing words. I’m not much of a speaker, but my mind just never seems to quiet down! I’ always have to grab something to write on (or pull up my computer!)
Still others are passionate about dance, painting, or accounting or even science —-and the list is literally endless. Regardless of the passion, it can be used to share the message of Christ.
It begins with Him! Without Him our world makes little sense! We have no real purpose and no lasting reason to keep trying!
So what is your passion?
Chances are it could be used in some way for ministry. If you haven’t discovered it yet, perhaps ask the people around you what they see in you. And most importantly ask the God who created you —-He will show you.
You are His handiwork; and being a widow does not change that!
God is not finished with your story yet.
Surviving Together In Loss And Love 
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