Visiting orphans AND widows

At 5 am the morning of Sunday, November 18, 2007, I was lying awake on my bathroom floor curled in a ball talking on the phone to the O.B. who was on call for the weekend. I was having contractions... and in much pain. In denial of the situation, I pleaded with him to order more terbutaline. No, he said in his foreign accent... you need to go to the hospital right now.

I was right around the beginning of my 22nd week of pregnancy. I'd already been to the hospital a couple times earlier that week, but this time was different. They wheeled me right past the triage and admitted me into labor and delivery. We had already been told that a baby born before 25 weeks would not be airlifted to a neonatal unit. When I entered my room, horror filled my heart, seeing the baby warming unit seemed like I might as well have been staring at my unborn daughter's coffin.

By God's mercy and will, we left the hospital 3 days later with my contractions stabilized. They never actually went away, thus remaining on bedrest until 36 wks. but I was able to carry Emily full term to praises of God's glory.

So what does this have to do with widows and orphans?

Those early weeks after the hospital between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year were truly frightening for me. I had very strong feelings of isolation, fear, anxiety, and a deep loneliness. One particular day, the boys were at grandma's, I was in my recliner all alone. A thought that I know was from the Lord( in the midst of my emotions) came to my mind.

"This must be how it feels to be a widow."

In that moment I prayed that the Lord would allow me to embrace these feelings and never let me forget how the widow/elderly must feel. My circumstances and emotions were only temporary but theirs..... it's their life! I promised the Lord that I would be faithful to remember the widow along with the orphan. My prayer is that each of you passionate James 1:27 friends would take time to consider the widow this season too!

The above picture is of our family visiting Dave's grandfather(who is a widower) over Thanksgiving : )

I encourage you to listen to the words of this song. I prefer the Sandi Patty version but couldn't get it. If you've never heard this song before... it's a tear jerker!

My grandma (Grandma-mom) came and spent a week with us earlier this year .... a little vacation from her assisted living home. My kids ADORE her : )... and so do I!


My d-group girls from church making cards for the residents at a nursing home we visited recently. I was so proud of them for their smiles, touches, conversations and prayers they shared with elderly that night!

Elizabeth, Anna and Hannah making new friends!

Ashley visiting with a sweet little lady

Casey taking a moment to pray with this elderly gentleman