{{item.title | uppercase}}

As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.
Matthew 25:5-6 (ESV)

Today I will be going to a memorial service for a dear man who had a huge impact on my spiritual life. We weren’t related and in fact, we didn’t even know each other at the time he made a decision that forever changed my life. He didn’t have to know me because he knew the One who did. A simple act of obedience on his part opened a floodgate of blessings into my life. It takes my breath away to think about the rewards he will be receiving when he stands before God in judgment. I know he will hear the words we all long to hear “Good job, faithful and willing servant.”

Holidays Got You Down – Live for the Eternal

The holidays can be so very tough, especially when we are grieving. Expectations similar to a Hallmark movie are no longer even remotely possible when our loved ones are no longer physically with us. We can feel forgotten as everyone else gathers with their families to celebrate. But in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, the gifts, the dinner, the parties, the decorating, the true purpose of celebrating Christmas often gets overlooked.

For Christians, our holiday begins on Sunday, December 3rd when the season of Advent begins. Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation. For both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.

Far too often the waiting and preparation for the return of Christ at the Second Coming is not even mentioned during the holidays. When I became a widow I felt like my entire world turned upside down. As a result, I began to question everything and I look at things differently now. I am no longer looking for the Hallmark movie-type holidays. Instead, I am focusing on celebrating not only Christ’s birth but now more than ever I am waiting and preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.

Confused About Your Purpose – Live for the Eternal

Possibly one of the most frequent questions uttered by widows is “Now that I am no longer a wife, what is my purpose?” Our purpose has not changed. We were created to glorify God. As the body of Christ, we are the ones carrying out His purposes. For a season we did that as a wife. Now we carry on that purpose as a widow. Together with the Body, we are waiting for Christ to return. We are living our eternal life as we wait, day by day, step by step. This is not a dress rehearsal, this is the real thing.

Sometimes we think our purpose has to be some huge individual accomplishment. We feel unworthy and we get stuck and don’t know what to do. But God told us what to do:

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 (NIV)

We, with the body of Christ, must follow Him.

Moving Forward – Live for the Eternal

So today as I honor my friend I will do what he encouraged me to do with a simple “yes” decades ago when I stepped into a role to help disciple others. I will move forward with obedience to the little things. Because I know that simple obedience opens the floodgates to so many blessings! And as a widow, I am passionate about not wanting to be drowsy or asleep. Nor consumed by what once was and all that I have lost. With every fiber of my being, I want to be waiting for my Bridegroom! Celebrating with the body of Christ, as I wait expectantly for His Second Coming. I want to live for the eternal!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for Your love! You show it to us in so many ways. Thank You for sending Your Son so that we might be reconciled to Your Holiness. Help us to love You and appreciate You more. Your Word tells us if we love You then we will obey Your commands. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who will help us obey. Please guide our daily actions so we can live for the eternal! Amen.