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January 15, 2015.

Half of me was severed that day.

Abruptly gone.

When I think back to that horrific day and those first moments, my heart still begins to race. My hands start to sweat and my stomach is filled with an uneasiness that cannot be described. That day … that day I was forever changed.

It’s tough to believe it has been six years since our world shattered and my hopes and dreams for our lives were immediately taken. (It feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago.) Those dark days, weeks and months that followed, I knew there was no earthly way I was strong enough or brave enough to continue life without my husband Michael. And, I was right. No “earthly way” could save me, only the Lord.

Night after night, I called out to Him, “Jesus, help me.” And, He did. The Lord placed people in my life who surrounded me with love and support, and I leaned into them, hard. He gave me the courage to seek help through counseling, and I opened up about my loss and how I felt like never before.

The Lord’s strength helped me fight for my life – His strength put my feet on the floor every morning so I could be the mom I needed to be for my son. His strength brought me out of the darkness. His strength lifted me from the ashes. He has brought restoration, hope, happiness and joy into my life after loss of such magnitude. He wants to do this for you, too.

As widows, when we lose our husbands–it’s true–half is gone, but there is hope in being whole again through Jesus. We can be complete in Christ if we lean into Him. He promises this.

“And in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”
Colossians 2:10 (NIV)

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

That’s good news, sisters: For those of us who are believers, we are complete in Him! The Lord wants all of His children to call on Him. So let us not focus on our weaknesses and what we lack on this earth, but instead focus on blessings and the Lord’s strength, wholeness and completeness that is already in US.

Lord, I pray for each of my sisters, that they may find wholeness in you. It can be easy to focus on what we lack, but remind us that YOU are all we need. Let us find peace and joy in you and your promises. We know you have a purpose and a plan for each of us, and that we are still here for a reason. Use our heartache to help others. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.