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God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect.
2 Samuel 22:33 NLT

Do you ever second-guess your decisions?

Do others second-guess your decisions?

It happens all the time, whether you are a widow or not. But as widows, we are often forced to make big decisions that we have either never had to make before or never had to make alone before. It can be so overwhelming, especially when we are already exhausted from grief.

One such decision can be whether to move.

I remember those first few weeks when I was trying to wrap my mind around my financial situation, the question about whether I should move started popping up. And so did the well-meaning advice. Some touted the traditional wisdom – don’t make any big decisions the first year. Some looked at the size of my house and immediately decided I should move–I didn’t need that much space or expense. While their hearts were in the right place, only one had the right answer for me and my situation.

God.

God was the only one who knew how my story would unfold over the next couple years.

He knew…

I needed to stay at my church for a couple years, surrounded by people who loved me and encouraged me through the darkest days.

I needed the structure from my job to help me as I dealt with the crazy ups and downs of various court cases related to my husband’s death that lasted for over eighteen months.

when I was ready to say yes for the next step in His plan which required me to move to a new city.

when I should sell the home I had shared with my husband for fifteen years.

it would comfort me for years to come, if I packed up my husband’s clothes and carefully arranged them in my closet at my new home.

I had to move quickly because I would soon be dealing with the death of my father.

God was the only One who knew what was to come and what I would need. He is the only One who knows it all and can make our path perfect.

Lately, I have been reading in the Books of Samuel, and I have been reminded how closely David walked with God. Before David went into battle, He would seek God’s leading so he would be victorious.

We can be victorious in every battle too, if we do what David did, and seek God’s leading. God will make our path perfect.

Perfect doesn’t necessarily mean easy.

It was not easy to move to a new city. It has been several years, and it is still not easy. I miss my dear friends and church family in Plano, Texas, and being around people who actually knew my husband. Those people who knew me before my heart was broken are missing from my life. I miss the home we shared and going places, being able to visualize being there with my husband. There are so many things, but I have tremendous peace.

I am where I am supposed to be.

My well-meaning friends had no way of knowing all that I would need as my journey progressed, but God did.

I asked, He answered.

He led, I followed.

God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect.

Lord, Thank You for watching over us and for loving us. Remind us to seek You every step of the way and to wait for You to lead. Help us to rely on Your wisdom, for only You can make the way perfect. In Your Son’s Precious Name. Amen.