Widow, or widow indeed?
The Bible sets the standard for the care of widows. It doesn't mince words about it, either.
1 Tim 5:4-5
But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
KJV
A "widow indeed" is one who has no other living children or nephews to come to her support. She is either completely alone, or her kin have shirked their duties toward her by refusing to provide for her needs - a roof over her head, food on the table, clothing, warmth. But in today's society, this concept is foreign. It's not taught in the churches. It's not practiced in most families. A widow is left to fight her own way through by both family and church. When needs arise and bills need to be paid, she is told to go get a job, make her own way. Good luck! "Gee, I hope Mom makes it ok."
She spends a lifetime tending to the needs of others - her children, her husband, her extended family, her friends. But in the lowest point of her life she's thrown to the wolves. She's told she's lazy if she doesn't go hit the bricks and find gainful employment, even though the entire rest of her life was focused on others.
How many nights did she sit up with a sick child? How many nights did she wait up for a child to come home, all the while praying he or she was safe? How many days did she spend planning, budgeting, cooking, entertaining, repairing, chauffeuring, advising, sympathizing? How many hours did she spend applying a cold cloth to the head of a sick child or holding them around the tummy while they threw up? How many diapers did she change? How many months did she spend tending to a husband who passed on? How much did she pass by for herself so that her family could have something? How many of her dreams were put on the shelf and now gather dust? How much sleep did she lose so that she could plan her children's education? How many times did she volunteer at her church or other places?
Lazy? Undeserving? In today's world - yes. The widow is seen as so much burden and baggage on her family and community. But God never views her this way. He treasures her. He wraps Himself around her. He loves her because now, He has become her husband.
Ps 68:5-6
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
KJV
Isa 1:17
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
KJV
Isa 54:4-7
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
KJV
How good are God's promises! So even if and when others aren't heeding His commands, still He cares for me.
1 Tim 5:4-5
But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
KJV
A "widow indeed" is one who has no other living children or nephews to come to her support. She is either completely alone, or her kin have shirked their duties toward her by refusing to provide for her needs - a roof over her head, food on the table, clothing, warmth. But in today's society, this concept is foreign. It's not taught in the churches. It's not practiced in most families. A widow is left to fight her own way through by both family and church. When needs arise and bills need to be paid, she is told to go get a job, make her own way. Good luck! "Gee, I hope Mom makes it ok."
She spends a lifetime tending to the needs of others - her children, her husband, her extended family, her friends. But in the lowest point of her life she's thrown to the wolves. She's told she's lazy if she doesn't go hit the bricks and find gainful employment, even though the entire rest of her life was focused on others.
How many nights did she sit up with a sick child? How many nights did she wait up for a child to come home, all the while praying he or she was safe? How many days did she spend planning, budgeting, cooking, entertaining, repairing, chauffeuring, advising, sympathizing? How many hours did she spend applying a cold cloth to the head of a sick child or holding them around the tummy while they threw up? How many diapers did she change? How many months did she spend tending to a husband who passed on? How much did she pass by for herself so that her family could have something? How many of her dreams were put on the shelf and now gather dust? How much sleep did she lose so that she could plan her children's education? How many times did she volunteer at her church or other places?
Lazy? Undeserving? In today's world - yes. The widow is seen as so much burden and baggage on her family and community. But God never views her this way. He treasures her. He wraps Himself around her. He loves her because now, He has become her husband.
Ps 68:5-6
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
KJV
Isa 1:17
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
KJV
Isa 54:4-7
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
KJV
How good are God's promises! So even if and when others aren't heeding His commands, still He cares for me.
Labels: Danny journal
posted by Ann crum @ 3:29 PM
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