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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
Hebrews 12:1 ESV

If someone asked me to describe widowhood in one sentence I’d say ‘Widowhood is like being thrown into playing in the Super Bowl with no training for myself or the team, and it’s 110 degrees outside.” It’s a feat harder than anything I could have imagined. As with any monumental feat, in order to perform your best, you need an outstanding coach. One who has been there and done that!

Where are the Super Bowl coaches for Widowhood?

Fortunately, there are a significant number of great coaches for the initial stages of grief – Griefshare support groups and Stephen Ministers are two that I am familiar with and I highly recommend those resources. But beyond the initial stages of grief it is much harder to find the coaches that will really help us perform at a Super Bowl level.

I recently saw this clip on YouTube from the movie “Facing the Giants” that made me think about what it takes as a widow to “play/perform” at a Super Bowl level : Facing the Giants video clip

Here’s some of the key thoughts the video triggered about my journey as a widow:

1. It starts with committing to do my very best.
2. I can go way further than I ever thought possible.
3. I need others to help me stay focused.
4. I need a coach who knows when to push and when to encourage.
5. Others are always watching me.

We did not have a choice on whether or not our husbands would live or die but we do have choices on how we are going to live our lives as widows. Are we going to struggle along until we think we’ve had enough – only to opt out for a seat on the bench, comfortable – but no longer making a difference? Years ago, as a young girl, I asked to be put into the “game” because of a tremendous love for the one who gave me life. Now when life has become unbelievably hard, am I still committed to doing my very best? It’s a question we all must answer. Repeatedly. And when we commit to doing our very best, God will take us further than we ever imagined possible.

I cannot do it alone. First and foremost, I need my Heavenly Father to guide me according to His will. We’ve all seen those incredible plays were the players lose track of where they are going and run into the wrong end zone. No way do I want to go through all this only to serve the other team! I also realize I’m not going to make it to any end zone without someone coaching me. Someone like the coach in the video who keeps me focused on moving forward constantly, never giving up. A coach who knows when I need to be encouraged and when I need to be pushed. Someone who is willing to get a few inches from my face and yell at me so I don’t lose my focus (figuratively and possibly literally). Someone I can trust to help me do my very best, even when I want to give up. It’s my job to pray and search for a Super Bowl coach. I hope to some day become one for others!

There is way too much at stake here. God’s kingdom is counting on us! Too many of us are sitting on the sidelines, content for someone else to do the hard work. But when we do our very best, gaining ground for God’s kingdom inch by inch, never losing site of our goal, going further than humanly possible, others will stand up and take notice. Hopefully, they will be inspired to get back into the game and give their very best.

Are you ready to reach a Super Bowl level?