We had been walking through the village for a long time. I was tired, thirsty, and frankly, not in a very happy mood.
The tiny room, with a few windows and chairs set up for our two teams, was full of over 30 widows of all different ages. These ladies sew aprons, purses, wallets, and other items to support themselves. They gather for prayer, worship, and Bible study regularly. Many of them had their property taken from them after their husbands died. Everything they own. Gone. Normally, they would have to return to their home villages, far away.
Their lives have been riddled with pain, grief, fear, and many times oppression.
But they sing. They are still singing. They bless the Lord, even though He gives and takes away.
Their joyful songs and passionate dances humbled me.
I found my bad mood quickly transform into a heart to be grateful. The next week, we returned to visit the widows, and I gave a testimony. I searched my heart and mind. What could I possibly share with them? What, from my life, could encourage them?
I decided to tell them of past idolatries in my heart. Yes, he wanted me to get real and vulnerable with these beautiful women.
I told them a story from my life about betrayal, disillusionment, and the hope that comes from forgiveness and faith in God. I realized that He uses every part of our stories to bring encouragement to others. Nothing in our lives is ever wasted.
A widow and a never-married woman are very different…yet in some ways similarly vulnerable. We often share a longing for a husband that only God can completely fill. Yes, sometimes God brings a husband into our lives. However, the wedding feast we should all be anxiously awaiting and eagerly anticipating, is that of the Bride of Christ and her Bridegroom, Jesus. We have a perfect groom in Christ.
When Christ said, “It is finished”, that was only the beginning. The beginning of new life. With Christ. He shall have His bride and we shall be ready.
