30 Days of Gratitude – Day 5:
Express gratitude to a widow or widower who encourages others.

We know that the Bible tells us to care for the widows and the fatherless (James 1:27). But what never ceases to amaze me is when I see widows (and widowers) encouraging others! Perhaps it’s because they have been the recipients of similar comfort and encouragement, so they know the joy that it brings. Perhaps it’s because they long for that comfort and encouragement and use that experience to propel them in a direction of helping others so that those individuals don’t have to feel the same way.

Particularly in the case of older widows and widowers, we tend to think that they help others because “they have extra time on their hands” (which is generally an erroneous thought; they are doing everything they used to do, only they are now doing it alone). Look around you. The widows and widowers are often the first to meets others’ needs, because they’ve walked those paths themselves. They demonstrate compassion out of a firsthand understanding. Gratitude is the least we can offer them!

Take time to e-mail, send a card to, or buy a gift for the widow or widower you chose to thank today.