Surviving Year One: After the Death of Your SpouseSample

## He Still Has Purpose For You I’d been my husband’s support and caregiver for years—scheduling doctor appointments, restocking medicine, calling insurance companies, and taking copious notes in doctor offices. Now he was gone, and I felt lost. Who was I if I wasn’t his wife? What meaningful contribution could I make besides helping to care for him? It felt like I’d lost my identity when I lost my husband. The path before me was unknown; the guide rails of identity and purpose … gone. When I came across these words by H. Norman Wright, they felt like a lifeline. These words pointed me to the truth from Scripture that my anguished heart struggled to believe. They became the firm foundation on which I slowly began to rebuild: "I believe God’s promises are true. I believe heaven is real. I believe God will see me through. I believe nothing can separate me from God’s love. I believe God has work for me to do." When David fled from King Saul, he cried out, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” Years before, God had revealed that David would one day be king, but nothing in his circumstances seemed to be leading to his promised role. Running for his life, he held on to hope that God would fulfill His purpose for David’s life. Though David’s royal calling feels far removed from our lives, God has revealed His purpose for us too. In Isaiah 61, God reveals a beautiful plan for His people who are mourning. God has promised to make us into oaks of righteousness that will bring Him glory. Like a mighty oak tree, it will take time for our roots to dig deep and our branches to strengthen, but one day, we will be made strong. Just as the oak provides nourishment and shelter for birds and squirrels, others will find rest and receive spiritual sustenance as we point them to the God who sustained us through our darkest days.