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

As I watched her celebrating with her in-laws, it was clear how deeply content she felt in their presence. I’m speaking of Susan, a distant relative I recently met. What struck me immediately was the grace and joy she exudes, even after the heartbreaking loss she endured just a year ago.

Sometimes, a loving in-law family can provide a widow with the gift of stability.

Susan is the widow of Gabor, a distant relative from Hungary who connected with me just a few years ago. Gabor’s father and my father were first cousins, and Gabor was keen on expanding our family tree by tracing the American branch.

It was such a joy to discover new family connections, and I was even more thrilled to learn they, too, are believers. But that joy turned to deep sorrow when we lost Gabor to cancer.

When I visited Hungary, Susan and her daughter greeted me with such warmth that I could only attribute it to Susan’s deep faith and vibrant spirit.

She welcomed us with thoughtful gifts and cheerful greetings, guided us around Budapest, helped us navigate public transportation, assisted with our lost luggage, prayed for a wonderful week, and kept me updated on spiritual news from her church. She also included me in a full day of family celebrations, where I saw firsthand that Susan isn’t just close to her in-laws—she is truly one of them, a genuine sister rather than just an adjunct member. It’s a beautiful example of how God fulfills His promise to protect widows, as stated in Psalm 68:5.

Not every widow is gifted with an in-law family that warmly embraces her.

In this ministry, I’ve come across many situations. Some readers shared that they have no in-laws to connect with at all. Others face such challenging relationships that it’s healthier for them to maintain distance. Some manage only a few limited but supportive connections. Regardless of the situation, trust in God to protect you from any harm that might arise from dealing with unhealthy relationships.

At times, building bonds with your husband’s family requires simply being patient.

In the first year after my husband passed away, his family, who lives several states away, didn’t really stay in touch with me much. He’d been such a big part of their lives, and they needed their time to grieve. Even with the distance, I made a real effort to visit so my kids could stay close to them. I always cared about them, but I didn’t expect the level of support and inclusion I’d get in return. One of my sisters-in-law especially noticed how often I visited and responded with kindness in so many ways. Their support has really helped me stay connected to the family that ties me to my husband.

You can see the same bond between Susan and her in-laws. The Holy Spirit really shines through her, and her sense of outreach and care never wavers. When she’s around her in-laws, it’s clear how much they love and appreciate her.

If you can’t lean on your in-laws, know that the Lord is still there to provide for you.

Whether God gives you great in-laws or helps you set boundaries with them, you can trust Him to take care of you. Look around at the people He’s placed in your life and expand your circle where you can. When you find loving relationships, make sure to nurture them. These connections are part of how you stay linked to Christ and grow in your faith.

Lord, please open doors to stable relationships for widows, whether it’s with their in-laws or through other meaningful connections. Surround them with Your grace and support, and help them build a strong, caring network. Amen.