Writing a book gobbles up more than 40 hours each week but is very satisfying work, and I’m privileged to have the chance. My book’s purpose is to nourish careworn widows with daily devotionals focusing on God’s provision for them.
The process between an author signing a contract and a reader being able to hold the book in her hands is usually more than a year, but of course God sees the finished product today and, more importantly, those who’ll need it. He knows which pages will end up stained with tears from which woman’s grieving eyes and is shaping each devotional entry now, in 2011, toward individuals who will read them in 2012.
Yesterday I spent time thinking about these women, future widows who next year will be where I was two years ago, and God gave me a shocking thought. Many of my future readers are not yet widows. They’re still married to the men they love and have no inkling widowhood is quietly moving toward the edges of their lives. In some cases, widowhood will arrive to the very young who are still thinking they’ll reach their 50th anniversaries.
Recently I chatted with a youthful mother of three who lost her husband as they slept side-by-side, discovering his death in the morning when he didn’t rouse with his alarm. In her shock she didn’t know what to do next. Her children, stirring in adjacent rooms on a school morning, were ages 8, 7 and 5. In the chaotic weeks and months that followed, this 34 year old widow needed mountains of support. I fervently hope my book will help women just like her.
Other 2012 widows will be those now married to older men. Even then, when death is more likely and logical, that woman’s distress over losing her mate will be enormous. If disease factors in, we think a wife will be sufficiently forewarned to escape some of the sorrow after death comes. But in talking with scores of widows, I’ve learned that an illness-warning doesn’t lessen heartache.
Still others will experience circumstances similar to mine, a combination of disease’s warning with the calendar’s “too soon.” According to census figures, nearly a million American women will become widows in 2012. As I write my book and pray for them, most have no clue they’ll be in that group.
But God knows.
And he is the single most effective rescue for each one. As I think through the devotionals I’m writing, my heart hurts for those about to start down this road, but I consider lack of future awareness a blessing for them, as it was for me. While writing within God’s promptings, I’m relieved to know he sees and loves each soon-to-be-widow and is preparing comfort now, for those who don’t yet know they’ll need it tomorrow.
“Don’t be afraid… You will no longer remember… the sorrows of widowhood.” (Isaiah 54:4)
What a wonderful ministry, Margaret. So glad your Godly insights will see print.
So very glad to hear how you continue to use the gifts the Lord gave you and you trained yourself in. God bless and may He minister to each individual who reads this book. love to you!
Thank you so much for thoughts and scripture! My heart filled with so much sadness as you reminded me that those 2012 widows have no idea what is to come! Let us strive to pray for the unknown and rest in the peace of God’s strength for His future plans.Thanks Margaret again.
It seems as if one of the greatest gifts I could give my husband would be to outlive him and spare him the sorrows of being a widower. Of course, it is not mine to decide and God knows best, but if I am chosen to be one of your “future widows” that would be one comfort. However, I have often “mentioned” to God that I think I would make an awful widow!
Thank you for comforting others with the comfort you have received.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”(2 Cor 1: 3-4)
Lord, give Margaret the pen of a ready writer as You will use her through this book to be Your rod and staff through someone’s upcoming valley of death.
Press on Margaret.
Love,
Terry
However the the process, whatever the circumstance, it is no less traumatic than one could possibly imagine, until you’ve experienced it. Praise be to our loving God who sees us through each moment, each tear, each step of recovery, bringing comfort and-us- giving comfort to others as we heal and move forward with our own lives.
You are one of His ‘healing touches’ Margaret, as you walk, daily, through your own process….”we CAN do ALL things…through Christ Jesus”…!!
God Bless you – MIGHTILY !!
Love you dearly,
Patzian
I sometimes fear that my mom will be in this category sooner than she thinks, and I’m grateful for the work you are doing in preparation for that. I know whenever that times comes, whether 2012 or long after their 50th, she will cherish your words. Thank you for your friendship to her.
Jennifer
I can’t say I like the topic of this post, though I’ve often thought since Papa died about the possibility of becoming a widow myself at some point. Today at Bible study we learned that the mom of one of our church members was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Life is a vapor. We don’t like to think about it, but it’s important to live in that reality and let it shape the way we treat everyone around us. Love you Mom.
I praise God for all the things He is giving you to say. And I thank you, Margaret, for being led by Him.
Believe me this also applies to widowers