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For a few years, I had a “word” for the year. I’ve had several, like connect, abide, and hope. But one of the words I’m still working on is Embrace. It is like God just keeps bringing it back to my mind to grow me further in my faith and sometimes point out my sins.

What have I had to embrace? Several thoughts came to mind.

Widowhood

At first, I was focused on embracing my widowhood. I hid behind the word, afraid of using it. But I noticed several passages of Scripture where God made special note of His extraordinary love and care for widows specifically. In Exodus, the Israelites were to watch over the widows and never mistreat them. The book of Ruth is even dedicated to telling the story of several widows and their unique journeys. But this verse in Psalms helped me embrace the journey I was on, knowing God was right beside me, caring and loving me.

…He takes care of the children who have no father and the woman whose husband has died.
Psalm 146:9 (NLV)

Single Parent

I also struggled with embracing being a single mom. For some reason, I thought people would assume I was divorced and I didn’t want them to think that. I actually felt some pride in my widow status as compared to divorce. What a sinful arrogance God had to deal with in me! One way God helped me during this particular sinful thinking was by using my best friend’s divorce to increase my compassion for her and others in similar situations. We spent many nights sitting together on her back porch talking way past my bedtime, encouraging each other to stay the course and be faithful when all we wanted to do was crawl back in bed. We were in similar but very unique situations. I love how God used both our journeys to help each other. I know our situations were not the same, but there is NEVER room for the sin of pride. Never. We were both dealing with fatherless children. I found this verse that leads me to have more compassion for all the mamas dealing with no father in the home :

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
Psalm 68:5 (ESV)

My Story

I had to EMBRACE my story. It has taken me a very long time. When many widows tell their stories of cancer or heart attack or an accident, the listeners feel sympathy for them. But my story brought shame because it involved addiction. But my story didn’t end with addiction or death. God is still writing my story! I need to stop trying to put “the end” on the page because God has so much more to do in my life. He uses all the chapters in our lives to point to Him.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

Dependence

But recently I have had to EMBRACE something else–being married. I am learning to close the door on my independence – the fiery spirit that helped me survive! God and I were a pretty good team, just on our own. But He made it crystal clear that He wanted me to add a wonderful widower to OUR team. My independence is “ending” as I am a newlywed and we are learning to depend on each other. Once again, God is asking me to embrace the journey I am on right now. This verse helped me so much at the beginning of my widow journey, and it continues to encourage me today as I embrace this new chapter. There are a lot of unknowns out there – with finances, adult children, teens in the home, and the world in general. God has led me to let go of my independence which was the force I needed for many years, and become dependent and submissive to the gift He brought into my life. God gives me the strength today just as He did yesterday.

Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

What is God asking you to embrace about your life? I hope my story encourages you to embrace all that God has for you – the beautiful, the painful, and everything in between.

This song has been a great encouragement to me. Click the link and let the promise of God not being finished with you wash over you.