She Still Rises

It’s been three years, and as time passes, the daily struggles of widowhood can become less visible to others. People may not always remember the long nights, the emotional exhaustion, or that we’re still raising children on our own.

In widowhood, there are no days off from the grief, the exhaustion, or the emotional weight of it all—you’re carrying it all on your own. The pain still lingers. The loneliness is loud. Time doesn’t heal all things. Time just helps us adapt to our hard.

If it’s been a while since you’ve reached out to the widow in your life, I encourage you to keep checking in, no matter how much time has passed. No matter how much they may seem like they have it all together, the reality is they still need people to walk alongside them. Your kindness and presence make a difference.

To my fellow widows, remember this: You are seen, you are valued, you are not forgotten. This journey is long, but it is not one you have to walk alone, even when it feels like the world has moved on. Always know that God is walking with you every step of the way. His love is unchanging, His presence never leaves, and He will carry you through your hardest days. He is the protector and defender of widows. And, you are never alone.

He is with you always. 🤍

3 years. I truly can’t believe it’s been 3 years since I’ve seen your face. Heard your voice. Held your hand. This day is never easy. It’s a day I hate to relive. It’s a painful reminder of your huge absence. Of the massive hole in all our hearts. Forever.

I hope there is a huge party in heaven in your honor today. With good people, good food and good cheer. In typical Blake Cantley fashion.

We miss you every single day and love you always.

Happy Sunday 🤍

When life seems to be going well, everyone is healthy, happy, successful, and all is going as planned, trusting God comes easily, right?

But when you lose a loved one, your job, your home, maybe even your health, do you still trust Him?

I have to say, I was angry for a long time when I lost my husband (and sometimes that anger resurfaces). I had total faith that God could and would save him, but He didn’t. And that was (and still is) hard to accept. My faith was shaken. Tested. And I struggled to trust God when he allowed this to happen.

How could a good God let my 39 year old husband die? How could He rip him away from our very young children? From me?

It’s still something I struggle with and ask God often.

But what I’ve come to learn and know is our God is still good regardless of our circumstances. And he hates death just as much, if not more, than us!

But we live in a broken world. Tragedies, sin, loss are unfortunately part of it. And could you imagine going through this hard life without Him?

That’s what I had to remind myself.

Life was never promised to be easy. In fact, it was quite the opposite. But God did promise to walk with us through it all. To hold our hand, wipe our tears, to bring us a peace beyond understanding. And one day, to make all things right again.

So even when it doesn’t make sense, know He is still good and He will never leave you.

If we can trust Him through the good, we can trust Him through the trials. 🤍