{{item.title | uppercase}}

Blessed is (s)he who trusts in the Lord.
Proverbs 16:20 (ESV)

We had been following Sree’s story in part 1 here and part 2 here, and here in part 3, we show you the outcome of Sree’s good choices to follow Christ Jesus with her boys. She gave up the financial security of allowing her inlaws to take care of her three boys and her, and decided with hard work, she could step out in faith and follow Christ.

As I share with you the rest of the story, consider your own future. Perhaps there are areas in your life as a widow you have to make decisions on. Perhaps you know in your heart one of these choices is what God wants you to do, but it’s scary. You don’t know how it will turn out. Of course, each choice requires a plan, and we want you to look where you leap, but consider how Sree chose the tougher path, knowing she could take care of herself, knowing it would be arduous, but trusting God to give her the strength to do what is arduous.

What would have been?

Just imagine what outcome Sree’s life would have had she not stepped out in faith and taken charge as the only parent of her three boys to raise them in her church? Would they have developed their relationship with Christ the way she encouraged them to? And how would she be right now? Perhaps she would have had her resources taken care of, but she would be oppressed and weak, unable to decide freely how to live her own life.

Did her finances completely fall apart?

It wasn’t easy, but the Lord came through. All three of her sons have now completed secondary school and the last is entering university. Sree supported the boys and maintained her home with a small teacher’s wage along with tutoring on the days she doesn’t teach. She prayed for years that He help her boys with the cost of college. Christians in her country are usually last in line for scholarships. Nevertheless, all three have been very strong candidates.

The first is now a full-time missionary with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). When your children are pressed, many times their faith grows stronger.

The second has studied on a scholarship in England and is now headed to America to study on another scholarship. The third will remain with her and study in his own country.

I keep secretly wishing she would immigrate here.

I think about her skills as a math teacher, her hard work ethic, and her loving godly personality. She would have so much more opportunity here. But I know how much she loves her country and its rich heritage. She loves the festivals and traditions of the religions even if those religions have marginalized Christians there. That country is her home, and she loves the people.

Most of all, she understands that it’s not about opportunity and riches. She can trust God to give her enough. After all, hasn’t He?

The faith of a child to keep her going.

Were there difficult seasons? You bet. But in a household where all are following the Lord, the family members encourage one another. “One day when I was feeling so down and worried,” she said. “My youngest son came to me and told me to read Matthew 6:25–34. How wonderful and amazing it is that God uses our little children to teach us. We, adults, tend to shut ourselves from God’s voice with our worries, but little children have so much faith and are always listening to God’s mighty voice.”

The verses that her son gave her was about building your house on a rock. If you build it on sand, the winds and rain will tear it down. But nothing can knock down someone who is grounded in the Lord.

Long ago, Sree had already put her faith in Him and just needed reminding that her faith was built on a rock. Since then, she hasn’t doubted. She tells me she’s not perfect and falls at times, but I hear God’s strength in her letters.

And her trust has been rewarded.

At every turn, God supports them—giving them their daily bread. He has given her work and opened doors for great educational opportunities for the boys. He has given the boys a love for Him that has them living their lives for Him, completely.

Imagine what Sree in her circumstances can do to impact the world. Three strong boys, who have seen persecution and loss and come out strong because they see the humility and strength of their mother. Imagine the impact of three young brothers in Christ can make to increase the kingdom of God.

Does a widow have a purpose? You bet she does!

How has the enemy attacked you? Are you raising kids, like Sree is, to love the Lord in a world that wants to squelch that? Are you struggling with finding ways to support yourself without a husband as Sree did? Let her story inspire you, and let your faith in the one and only true God carry you, sister.

Lord, as widows who have been at this journey for many years, we have two prayers–thankfulness and new life. Like Sree, many of us can only thank You for your daily provision that allowed us to stay focused on Your purpose and Your kingdom. Thank You for giving us that purpose. Amen