Throughout this year I’ve been writing about my late husband and my journey through widowhood. I’m thankful for a place that’s allowed me to do this and encourage you all along the way. This time last year my husband’s death was fresh and pushing through the last half of 2024 was hard. However, there was one thing that kept me going and that was my commitment to myself that I was going to get to the other side of grief. I wasn’t sure what that looked like, but I knew I needed to follow God to get there.
When we think of God’s provision, we often think of financial provision. This season has yielded provision in ways that I didn’t expect. Truthfully, the only provision I wanted was my husband back. But he wasn’t coming back, and I didn’t have a clue about what I really needed to help me heal. God knew! He knew what I needed socially, emotionally, and mentally. Here are three unexpected ways God’s provision abounded in this season.
Socially. After my husband died, I withdrew and pulled away from socializing. I didn’t have the capacity to be around anyone, and my village understood that. I had several lunch/dinner invitations for when I was ready to “be outside.” Once I was ready, I accepted those invitations and started socializing again. I didn’t realize how much I needed human interaction. The love, laughter, talking and eating was like salve on a wound. Little by little, I felt my heart healing.
Emotionally. My emotions were all over the place. I was feeling so many things, sometimes all at once. God met me right where I was and so graciously helped me sort out all my feelings – anger, hurt, disappointment, confusion, uncertainty and bitterness.
Mentally. Grief is ugly. It’s dark, painful and will make you feel as if you are about to lose your mind. Between persistent thoughts of guilt and failure surrounding my husband’s death, I was holding on for my mind. Many people had such kind, thoughtful and caring things to say to me and about me. As I stood at my sink one day, I heard the Lord whisper “You need to receive what they’re saying to you.” I opened my mind and heart to believe those kind words being spoken to me by others and they eradicated the assault on my mind.
God is all sufficient and He is a keeper. Everything we need is truly in Him, even things we don’t know we need. His provision is endless and accurate. I pray that as we head into the last months of 2025, that our eyes are open to see, know and experience His sufficient provision.
Tamara DeBose enjoys encouraging others through writing. She has weathered many of life’s challenges. It is her desire to remind others to never give up on Jesus and His love. She resides in Florida with her children and grandchildren.
