Finding My Way Forward

Photo image courtesy Pixabay

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

On the cusp of this new year, I am in the throes of a new beginning. I say “throes” because I’ve experienced a major life change. My husband of 64 years passed away on September 17. Going it alone is very very hard. I miss my Bill.

Oh, I am blessed because family and friends support me to the hilt. But it’s lonely. I’m always wanting to tell Bill something. But he’s not in his chair. I’m always walking to the passenger side of the car until I realize I’m driving.

God has never failed to see me through heartbreaking situations, so I trust Him to help me find my way forward in the new year.

Here’s what I plan to do:

* I will look at challenges–such as putting gas in the car as adventures. If I need to ask for help, I will. I just used our Robot vacuum, and I can’t find the dust bin to empty it. Help!

* I will slowly reduce my grip on Bill’s clothes and mementos. I’ll give some to family and friends and give some away. Right now I just want to keep things in place.

* I will learn to navigate life as a single woman and go to a restaurant to eat alone. That seems too tough to consider right now. Maybe one day.

* I will master keeping track of finances and live on a budget. Bill always took care of money matters, but I can do it.

* I will write and submit articles to magazines since I’m not occupied with caregiving.

* I will invite someone to lunch here or at a restaurant once a month. Cooking is hard for me, so I’m not sure how this will play out.

* I will write thank you notes to people who showed exceptional kindness after Bill’s passing. Just the other day I received a long note from a friend. She said she deliberately waited a few weeks to write, and she included encouraging Scripture and thoughts. So kind of her.

* I MAY try my hand at a new creative craft. Hmmm. Not at all sure what that might look like, so this will take some thought. TBD.

I really don’t know how many of the above items I’ll accomplish. But this gives me a road map to follow for the time being. And I know without a doubt God will be faithful to me, as He will be to you.

“I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Questions for Reflection:

1. What “new beginning” have you experienced so far in life? How did God enable you to survive?

2. Are any “new beginnings” on the horizon? If so, how might you strengthen yourself to handle them?

3. Who do you know who has lived through a new beginning with grit and grace?