Widow's Journal

“Beth” Psalm 119: 9-16

The second section of this Psalm starts with “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” This is a great question for anyone at any age! How can a widow keep her way pure? It is only the guarding, insulating, reinforcing power of the Word of God. Having a steady diet of the Word, storing it up in our hearts and minds, surrendering to the working of the Spirit to instill its influence in our every fiber of our being, we can walk with confidence.

This reminds me of an elderly evangelist who used to stop for visits with my family years ago. He told the story of a conversation with a Grand Canyon guide who led visitors on burros down the narrow paths to the floor of the canyon. How was he not fearful, he’d asked. The guide’s reply: I keep my distance from the edge and stay close to the wall. Yes, our walk can be similar. In areas of danger and doubt, stay away from the edge, and stay close to the safety of God’s protective word. The world might think it’s brave or daring to exhibit risky behavior, but our source of wisdom is in God’s Word that will lead us, guide us, and deliver us.

As we store up God’s Word, hiding it in our hearts, we have a great supply of wise counsel the Spirit can bring to mind in those moments we need it most! Times of decision, moments of challenge, when hope is needed, there is the Sword of the Spirit, the Living Word of God, ready to do battle on our behalf.

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I am guarding my way, going forward on this new path of widowhood, by keeping Your word before me. Letting it inform how I think, how I spend my down time, especially what I choose to dwell on. Yes, sometimes there’s a battle for my thought-life.

Seeking You with my whole heart, refusing to wander into the desert of doubt. I know Your word is worthy of my trust.

I harvest Your wisdom daily, and Your word lines the pantry of my heart, ready for immediate use for wayward thoughts, straying paths.

Bless You, Lord, for teaching me Your faithful, gracious life guidelines. I treasure them. I can depend on You to lead me through this valley.

I can’t help it, Lord. I will talk about You, Your ways, and how You alone have shown me that there’s indeed a path going forward. I don’t know how anyone can face grief without You, Your comfort, Your peace, and Your strength.

Some folks revel in riches; I revel in Your grace and mercy, Your ways and thoughts, so much higher than mine.
I focus on Your word, Lord, and pin my gaze on following You, living for You.

Defender of Widows, I will find my delight, my purpose in where You lead, what Your word reveals. I will never lose sight of how Your word has calmed my sea of sorrow and led me through loss. I will never forget.

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