Posts Tagged With: future

Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk

Posted on February 4, 2026 by tricialathrop

February 3

This has been a tough couple of weeks. With the snow and ice, I’ve not been able to get out as easily. Only a couple of days, but I felt isolated. It’s been almost a year, but I still miss his presence and sometimes expect him to appear.

I’ve had a lot of emotional support this year. Widows who have been there and share their experiences, friends who are still married but take the time to ask how I’m doing, family to visit and to call…and others who come alongside so that I know I’m not alone and isolated.

I’m reading through Hebrews for my quiet time, and I came across the verse that says, “Today, if you hear his voice…”

I got stuck on the “today”. Yesterday has already passed. I can’t change anything I did or said. It’s a done deal. I can apologize, be grateful, make atonement, but I can’t change the past.

Tomorrow is an unknown, my words and actions yet to be determined. Being fearful or worried about the future won’t change it.

What I have is this moment, today. What I do and say today can set up tomorrow for success. The way I respond to what happened yesterday can also set up tomorrow for success. By living in this moment, today, embracing the joys and sorrows of the moment, choosing my words, and doing the works that God would have me do, I will face tomorrow with no regrets.

Pollyanna? Pie in the sky? Idealized thinking? Perhaps.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking of the past, understandable with the passing of Norm. The memories are good. I’ve spent some time considering my future, how am I going to do this alone?

I have today. I can prioritize my relationship with God, reading His Word and praying for wisdom and help. I can prioritize family and friends, taking the time to speak a word of encouragement. I can take care of the mundane things that must be done, for life goes on…like taxes and housework.

Where’s the joy? Today is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I am thankful for God’s faithfulness to remind me that He has all this in His hand. He has a plan for my future, He knows my past failures. He knows my hopes and dreams.

I pray for wisdom as I choose the best words and actions for each day as I continue to interact with this world and the people in it.

I rejoice that God made today.

Where’s the joy? It’s available all around me, I just need to open my eyes to see it.


Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Oh let Israel say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Oh let the house of Aaron say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Oh let those who fear the Lord say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
From my distress I called upon the Lord;
The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
The Lord is for me; I will not fear;
What can man do to me?
The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in princes.
All nations surrounded me;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
They surrounded me like bees;
They were extinguished as a fire of thorns;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
You pushed me violently so that I was falling,
But the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
I will not die, but live,
And tell of the works of the Lord.
The Lord has disciplined me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
The righteous will enter through it.
I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
O Lord, do save, we beseech You;
O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and He has given us light;
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 118

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Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk

Posted on December 30, 2025 by tricialathrop

December 29

Another first gone by. Three to go…New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day and the anniversary of Norm’s death.

My Christmas had the expected times of joy with my children and grandchildren, expected times of sorrow and missing Norm. What I did not expect? Moments of absolute emptiness. I felt like the Tin Man, seeing and hearing what happened around me, and yet no emotion attached. Weird.

I’m not sure what to make of that, just thought I’d share it.

I met another widow today, she’s in her second year. This is not for the faint-hearted. It’s not a road anyone would choose. And yet, so many are facing the holidays this year missing a loved one…a parent, a child, a friend, a husband, a wife, a partner, a pet…each one dealing with it the best they can. Remember to lift the ones you know in prayer.

In the olden days, widows wore black for a year, and had restrictions on what was acceptable to do during the year of grieving. We don’t do that anymore. There’s no set time table, no rules of socially acceptable activities, no end date…

Christmas was a blur this year. In three days it will be 2026. I’m starting to consider, now what? One time a mentor told me to “Consider your calling” as I was making a decision for my future.

What am I going to do? Where am I going to serve? What expectations do I have for myself? What expectations from others do I need to consider? What expectations do I need to lay aside?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Where’s the joy? We can be sorrowful and yet have joy at the same time, amazing how God’s grace surrounds us.

I am thankful for divine appointments, God brings people into our lives who encourage us where we are. Meeting Christa at the Subaru car place today, was one such connection.

I pray for all those who are missing someone special over this holiday, that God will give them grace to have joy in spite of the grief.

I rejoice in the faithfulness of the Lord, who lifts us up when we are down and gives us hope for the future.

Where’s the joy? Everyday, God is faithful. Everyday, God provides.

O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
But who honors those who fear the Lord;
He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.

Psalm 15

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Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 29, 2024 by tricialathrop

December 28

Norm is the best he’s been, partially steroids, partially due to the dying cancer. I don’t want assume that this will continue, chemo pit is yet to come.

On these days, while Norm is in the hospital, my mind veges out a bit, taking a break from having to keep track of every little thing. I’m looking forward to the day when he is totally self-sufficient again, but that is still months away.

We are coming up on a new year. Usually, I’m considering a verse for the year. Sometimes it’s gratitude, sometimes it’s a spiritual challenge for behavior or habits.

I have been on survival mode for the last 4 months. But now, Norm might actually survive this cancer.

He’s concerned about who he will be once this is done. Near death experiences change people. I’m wondering the same thing about me, will the constant caretaking change me in some way?

What am I going to do in facing 2024? Do I go ahead and make goals for the year? Do I just make it a goal to live each day until Norm is through this? What scripture will help me get through this and then move forward?

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

But as it is, you boast in your arrogance, all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:13-17

We really don’t know what tomorrow will bring. All I do know, is that cancer has shown me that planning ahead needs to be flexible. It doesn’t always work out the way we’d like. But whatever comes my way, God is there.

I am thankful that Norm’s chemo seems to be working and he will be whole again.

I pray for the faithful nurses, doctors, janitors, nutritionists and all others involved in helping my husband to recover.

I rejoice that God has tomorrow in His hand.

Where’s the joy? I am looking forward with hope.

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Transitions

Posted on June 26, 2014 by tricialathrop

We put our house on the market this week. 

I stand at the door, unsure of what waits on the other side. I didn’t think this door world come so soon. Opening a door is not new to me; transitions are a part of life but this one feels different.  

My first major transition came when I left the comfort of my Mom and went to kindergarten. Mom says that I came up with many reasons not to go, but off to school I went. There were good and bad days, but each year presented me with opportunities to learn and grow. 

I remember the excitement of going to college and then the apprehension when I waved goodbye to my parents and walked back to my dorm room. Surrounded by new faces and map in hand, I began the adjustment  to life away from home. Four years later I said goodbye to the comfort of college classes, friends and my parents bank account.

Could I make it on my own without my parents help? A new job, making my way through the maze of finances, time management, relationships…then the marriage to my best friend, a lifelong companion with whom to explore and enjoy the mysteries of life. 

Each transition came with challenges and opportunities. Doors opened and closed, always with the sense of anticipation, excitement for the possibilities and angst for the challenges. But each transition eventually became comfortable.

Three children came along. The options now included their development and experiences. They walked through their own doors leaving me with an empty nest. No longer responsible for their care, I began to put more into writing.  

Once again, I arrived at a place of comfort. Now, Norm’s retirement brought us to this new door. All the other doors of transition led to opportunities, explorations, new experiences, learning and growth.  Just because we are older doesn’t mean this one will be any different. We can stand on these truths.

  1. “This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lam. 3:21-23. Everyday I can rely on the Lord, who does not change, to be faithful no matter what comes my way.
  2. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. This promise has no age or stage of life limits. 
  3. “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. In the morning sow your see, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Ecc. 11:4,6.  My responsibility, step out in faith and don’t worry about the outcome.

 

I stand at the door of transition, unsure of what lies on the other side, but confident in the Lord God, who does not change.

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