How tough is it for a widow or widower to live life with trust that everything is going to be okay no matter what comes their way? Maybe the phrase "living until we die" is an appropriate statement to make once you become a widow after a long and happy marriage. Life is always uncertain and nothing is guaranteed so how to live is always the question for everyone, really.
I read a devotion by a woman, Karen Bables, who has cancer and knows it will end in her death eventually. I loved her thoughts on how to choose to die before we die which to her meant letting go. We learn to give up control - first of situations and events, then of people, then of our own life, and finally of our death. Recognizing that we have no control over death is the hardest to accept. We don't need to be frightened of death. The more we deny it, the less value our life has. When we continually die to death, we also live until we die. I personally really like that last thought.
So that brings me to the fact and maybe reason I was willing to be open to the idea of a third marriage after losing my second husband a year and a half ago to cancer. The thought is rather frightening at times to think I could have to face the death of a husband again as there is no promise that says I will die first! In the end I realized I wanted to choose to live till I die and live in confidence that God has my life in His hands and all those I love. He knows what I need and when I need it so I have to trust that the right things will happen at the right times.
With that all said I've been given another sweet man (a widower as well) to date over the past few months and we have set a wedding date for April 7, 2018 Lord willing! We have known each other over 20 years in this community and happened to attend the same school when we were young although we didn't exactly know each other then. Smile. It's another story. His name is John DeLeeuw and was our Christian school superintendent for over 20 years and recently retired. There you have it the surprising news of my life! A new adventure and season to see what God will do in both of our lives.
I hope God gives all of you, who take time to read this blog, the confidence to live life to the full with Jesus as your example and not be tricked into thinking the Bible is a fairytale.
John 10:10 "The thief (the devil) comes to steal, and kill, and destroy, but I (Jesus) have come that you may have life, and have it to the full." Read the whole book of John in the Bible and learn the truth that can set you free to live life no matter what trial or joy you face! Then you will know you are "Expected in Heaven" when death takes you from this life!
