There
is a saying in my place that "when they carry another’s corpse, it’s as if they
are carrying a log of wood".
When
it hits or affects you, you will understand. If you have lost someone before,
what I am saying will sure resonate with you.
I
am challenging you today to make a personal decision to help the widows and
their children. There is something I always say ‘ it is not how much you have that matters, but how much life you have affected
positively with what you have’.
I
attended Mass in a catholic church in Accra, Ghana recently and was so excited
the way the widows’ rite was performed in church. Before it started, the priest
announced that no traditional rite should be performed on the widow after what
he is about to perform the widows rite under the Catholic faith.
Very
simple , but profound !
She was prayed upon, blessed and her mourning clothes
blessed as well. She was dressed with a wooden cross necklace that she is expected
to wear throughout her ‘chosen’ mourning period for her husband. Once the morning period is over, she is expected to return the cross to the church.
The
symbolic separation was her being accompanied to the sanctuary , then after the
mass, the Priest went with the mass servers, prayed for her and was let out to
go home.
Can
our churches begin to do this and take our place as true believers? Be an
instrument to fulfill the scripture?
I
personally find this amazing !
The
truth is that most widows are so afraid, that they cannot even express what tradition (in the name of culture) has made them go through and are still going through.
Now
is the time. The Bible said that, he that the Son of Man has set free is free
indeed.
Look
around you; help stop these barbaric acts that are happening in the Nigeria and
all over the world.
This
little of mine, I am gonna let it shine – a popular song we know and sing.
Now is
the time to let it shine. …
Locate
that widow, offer some help. Find out what they need, take up the laundry bill,
pick up the school fees of one of the kids as some of them are unable to
continue their education, pay for the cleaners to clean the house for them, pay
a caterer to make some dishes and deliver to them, make out time and pray for
them, organize birthday parties for their little ones, share encouragement
words to them, pray for them , ask a widow the business she is passionate and interested
in , start a business for her / them ….the list is endless
Yes
you can, and you can start today to make a positive impact.
CBA