Widows and Orphans

I’m on vacation so I wasn’t going to write but reminiscing about the last 24 hours I’ve felt a need to jot down some ramblings.

I was in a taxi van today with a group of people heading over to Jazzfest in New Orleans. The driver was an elderly lady who was very pleasant and while we were talking about the passing of Prince and his influence she brought up the recent passing of Mother Angelica. She also explained how she believed that artists that pass young don’t make a deal with the Devil for talent in exchange for a short life, like many pop culture songs would have you believe, but instead she believes these talented artists make a deal with God.

I’ve never heard it put this way but found it very interesting. I even went as far as saying that I made a deal with God and that someday, I’d be a Deacon.

She then asked if I knew why the church created the position of Deacons? In order to take care of the plight of widows and orphans.

James 1:27
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows* in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

To the surprise of many Christians, widows and orphans are mentioned often in the bible. We put a lot of emphasis on a number of social ills and drop potential solutions to many of these problems that I really believe we have forgotten the widows and orphans. As proud Christians we should ask our political leaders what are they doing for widows and orphans.

I’ve had a close friend recently lose his young wife at 33 years of age. He needed my help and I was there. He’ll continue to need my help and I’ll continue to be there.

Our taxi van driver explained how she was a widow. She is also explained how she lives in an apartment complex full of widows but not to worry because she’s engaged to marry her significant other in the Fall.

Widows and orphans can find peace and happiness. And we have been chosen to step up and do something about it.