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And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all
Luke 21:3-4 (ESV)

Have you ever looked at something as having very little value to only find out later it was something of great value? Perhaps a collectible you found out later that other people would pay a lot to own? Or maybe just a simple ordinary item you didn’t know how much you would treasure later? Whichever example comes to mind – understanding the value of something can take time.

Could there be value in becoming a widow?

The loss of our husbands is so devastating it is hard to imagine there can be any value added to our lives. But as James 1:2 -4 (NIV) tells us:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Becoming a widow is the hardest trial I have ever faced. I think most, if not all, would agree. Our faith is tested in ways we never imagined, but the trials also make our faith stronger.

Perseverance is a gift of great value.

James tells us when perseverance finishes its work, we will be mature and complete, not lacking anything! How wonderful it is to know that is how this journey ends. Mature and complete is what happens when, as the Apostle Paul says, I no longer live but I have been crucified with Christ. And He lives in me in fullness. All the trials and struggles help us die to self and truly become one with Christ. He is doing a major work in us and He will complete it!

She gave it all.

In Luke 21: 1-6 and Mark 12: 41-44, there is a story told about the poor widow who gave two mites at the temple. A short, often ignored story, but it is a story of great value. Jesus noticed a widow as she gave two mites at the temple. He pointed her out to the disciples as an example of what it means to give. It wasn’t about how much she gave – two mites is a small amount – but the fact that she gave everything she had. It could have been anyone, but I’m not surprised it was a widow.

Because of the intensity of the trials a widow goes through, she develops perseverance and moves closer to becoming mature and complete. She learns to surrender her life to His will, for His Glory. My favorite part of the story is that Jesus used her as an example to teach the disciples. She was the one living completely surrendered to God, contrary to the way of the religious leaders in the temple. It shifted my perspective from how the world sees widows as SOMETHING LESS to seeing widows as God sees our transformation, as SOMETHING MORE.

Being SOMETHING MORE.

In James 1:27 ESV we are told:

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

God is once again directing people to pay attention to those who are perceived as something less (widows and orphans). The instruction says: “visit them in their affliction”. God always blesses those who are being served and those who are doing the serving. Widows and orphans need the blessing of being served by others BUT THEY ARE ALSO A BLESSING to others as they are an example of living a life dependent on God.

Widows can be a wonderful example of being SOMETHING MORE. They can share their stories of God’s faithfulness to help others learn more about Christ. But widows cannot do it alone. They need encouragement from one another to stay focused on Christ as they heal and grow. Our mission at A Widow’s Might, Inc. is to Share Our Hope with others. Through Christ, we can be SOMETHING MORE for our family, friends, church, and the world.

If you would like to partner with us on our mission, please prayerfully consider donating. We are an entirely volunteer-led 501c3 nonprofit. Donations cover I.T. and administrative operating expenses, curriculum development, and subsidize conference expenses. We would love for you to partner with us! Click here to donate!