“Pure Religion”…caring for a widow
September 6, 2007 by lisaheidrich
James 1:27 (New Living Translation)
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
Sure, it is easy and selfish to ignore the sad and down hearted in life.
It is so easy to LOOK the other way and move on toward our own agendas.
The world will many times corrupt us easily & quickly.
I have a sweet and dear friend who lost her husband tragically two years ago. Her life has been a challenge and many times naturally she feels lonely and lost. I remember her husband’s wake and meeting her at the funeral home, just holding her hands, giving her hugs and reminding her: I am here for YOU…were the simple words that fell from my mouth during such a difficult time. FEW words are best for me when I am attempting to be strong for someone else.
She is capable and a fighter and a believer…but her home church has let her down. She has shared many a tearful story of her disappointment in her Church family grieving my heart along with hers. I invited her to our Church which she attends every now and again.
How do we live out LOUD? What does PURE and Genuine Religion really LOOK like?
How can we minister to our friends to see and experience the REAL Body of Christ at work?
For me I think it is simple–we need to be available.
We need to listen and share a compassionate heart…James states it simply “TO CARE FOR.”
Many days my friend and co-worker, just needed an EAR to listen
and a HEART to hear hers. Passing the Kleenex was easy for me.
In passing those tissues her wounds began to heal, day by day she felt cared for.
This Labor Day my friend invited my husband and I to the beach. She had reserved a condo and did not want to go alone. So we joined her. It was a beautiful weekend. The weather was picture perfect, the ocean was outstanding, the Majesty of God shone bright in the sun and HIS loving Arms embraced us with the cooling winds caressing our hot bodies as we donned sunburn and new tans.
My husband and I had an impromptu moment to minister to my friend.
To be available and care for a widow.
To talk, laugh, listen to her stories and to pray with her.
We enjoyed our weekend of laughter and tears and really saw the Hand of God at Work, through us infusing God’s Love to my widowed friend.
We accepted the invitation as a weekend away for REST and RELAXATION, but we were able to work, from our strengths, allow the Lord to use us as HIS vessels and minister from open hearts.
Hubby and I are far from perfect and usually MISS the opportunities the Lord graciously provides, but this weekend was different….we let ourselves be available. A rewarding and enriching experience for us and a chance for my friend to see and feel the body of Christ in action. Reaching out to her, lifting her up where her Church family “dropped the ball.”
Did we realize we were somewhat practicing PURE Religion…honestly?…not really.
But in reading the Book of James today I am reminded we did something right.
Taking a tiny step into the footprint of Jesus….ministering to a widow, a friend and sister in Christ. Exciting when we accept the Lord’s assignments, the work is easy, refreshing and rewarding!
We will forever be grateful to my buddy for her generous gift of a “weekend away” at the beach. We are thankful to know her and be here for her during her trials and recovery over her loss.
Dave did what he was good at: sharing communication tips, listening patiently and leading our prayer times with fervor and I did what I am gifted in: humor, teaching, speaking and reminding my friend of God’s unending love, GRACE, and His great plans for her. Together our gifts blessed her. Isn’t that what the BODY of Christ is all about? Using our combined spiritual gifts and passions to minister and mostly….
WE took the opportunity to CARE.
Share a moment with someone you know who is a widow….it is a wonderful opportunity to share PURE Religion…..the LOVE of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Lisa
Isn’t it awesome the way God uses us when we are just being ourselves? Just being available? You and Dave have awesome gifts that God has given you for building the Body of Christ. You did it. Your friend was blessed. You were blessed. I am blessed.
I am so glad to be your friend.
My husband asked me recently if I thought we were practicing “pure religion” as James defines it. I realized that we also cared for a widow and orphans without even thinking about it. My mother-in-law is a widow and we are devoted to caring for her physical and emotional well being. I think that’s why James calls this type of care pure religion. It’s sincere. We aren’t doing it to check it off of our to-do list. It just comes naturally because we really do care and our care has its roots in God’s care for us. Isn’t it great to be used by God without realizing it?
Amen! And thank you Amazing JIM!
You are a BLESSING to us as well!
God is sooo COOL!!
Peace,
Lisa
Lisa -
I just ran across this post and was touched by the kindness that you and your husband showed to your friend. I, too, have a friend who recently lost her husband and she is having a very hard time. She is constantly amazed at how her friends treat her now that her husband is gone. People somehow just move on with their lives and feel that she should too. She always tells me how lost and alone she feels . . . . . this is one of life’s most challenging and difficult situations and sometimes until you find yourself in it, you just don’t understand how painful and lonely it is.
I try my best to speak to her daily and lift her in prayer. I also share any healing scriptures that I come across in my reading with her. Most of all, I try and make myself available to listen. This can be a very small big deal.
I pray that we can make a difference in the lives of people who are grieving due to a loss of a loved one.
Blessings!
Debbie
Debbie–
Love your response.
Keep doing what you are doing–
YOU are touching lives and the “ripple effect” is HUGE!
Thanks for making a difference.
Love & Peace,Lisa
Thank you for visiting fizzy musings. I appreciate your comments and encouragement.
Heather…thanks for your post!
Great to hear from you!
Stay in touch!
Blessings, Lisa