For those who understand more than I do about the Bride of Christ being the church, I am trying to understand if it is okay for widows to consider that they are the Bride of Christ or married to Jesus. Maybe as a widow, Kizzie could give some helpful thoughts. I have now heard at least two widows express this comforting thought, but I am not sure it lines up with scripture, especially if someone is not in a church.
Janice – I consider myself part of the Bride of Christ, but not specifically married to Him myself. The Bible says that God acts as a husband to the widow, and He also acts as a father to the fatherless, without the widow being actually married to Him or the fatherless child being a direct child (as only Jesus is).
I guess an analogy could be a male friend or relative who steps in to help and watch over them but does not marry the widow or adopt the child. Does that make sense? (And of course, God’s care is more than that mortal man could do. I would even say that sending the man to help is part of God’s help.)
It seems that a biblical custom would have been for a close male relative to help the widow. Even in today’s world, men often step in to take care of some things for their widowed mothers or sisters, or the widows of their close friends.
Or even merely a widowed neighbor. While he lived next door, my mom’s neighbor would snow-blow her driveway after a snowstorm. (I’m not sure if he mowed her lawn or if someone else did, but Mom did not do it herself.)
This was on my mind last night, so it is interesting that you brought it up today, Janice. One of my disappointments with the situation with my brother is that he lives within a few short miles of me, but has not stepped in to help us at all.
Thank you, Kizzie, for helping me better understand. And I wish your brother would step up. It made a difference to me when I could count on my brother’s help. I know you could really use it.
I hope you are safe from the after shocks, dj. Never been in an earthquake myself.
It is nice is one can be close to siblings, whether brothers or sisters. And it is doubly nice when you can help each other. We have done that, but haven’t seen the reverse for the most part, if at all. I think it is not unusual from what I observe in many families, however.
My brother still helps Art so that is good. I just can’t deal with the trade-offs of getting his help. Of course, Art was there for him for the first major surgery and for the second repair.
Wandering Views 
Good morning, all.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good morning, Kevin, and all!
Cicadas are singing their summer song here. I need to water the thirsty elephant ears. They are droopy so can’t hear the cicadas singing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning, all. Roosters crowing here.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 2 people
For those who understand more than I do about the Bride of Christ being the church, I am trying to understand if it is okay for widows to consider that they are the Bride of Christ or married to Jesus. Maybe as a widow, Kizzie could give some helpful thoughts. I have now heard at least two widows express this comforting thought, but I am not sure it lines up with scripture, especially if someone is not in a church.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Janice – I consider myself part of the Bride of Christ, but not specifically married to Him myself. The Bible says that God acts as a husband to the widow, and He also acts as a father to the fatherless, without the widow being actually married to Him or the fatherless child being a direct child (as only Jesus is).
I guess an analogy could be a male friend or relative who steps in to help and watch over them but does not marry the widow or adopt the child. Does that make sense? (And of course, God’s care is more than that mortal man could do. I would even say that sending the man to help is part of God’s help.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
It seems that a biblical custom would have been for a close male relative to help the widow. Even in today’s world, men often step in to take care of some things for their widowed mothers or sisters, or the widows of their close friends.
Or even merely a widowed neighbor. While he lived next door, my mom’s neighbor would snow-blow her driveway after a snowstorm. (I’m not sure if he mowed her lawn or if someone else did, but Mom did not do it herself.)
This was on my mind last night, so it is interesting that you brought it up today, Janice. One of my disappointments with the situation with my brother is that he lives within a few short miles of me, but has not stepped in to help us at all.
LikeLiked by 2 people
How did we miss this news a year ago?
https://worldprayer.org.uk/resources/over-60-of-mosques-in-iran-closed/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kizzie, for helping me better understand. And I wish your brother would step up. It made a difference to me when I could count on my brother’s help. I know you could really use it.
That news from Iran is encouraging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rolling earthquake just now. House is still standing (good news) which means I still need to do some cleaning today (the bad news).
A day off for me, thankfully, I can use it.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Magnitude 4.6 earthquake
Affected countries: United States and Mexico
3 miles from South Pasadena, CA · 12:20 PM
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you are safe from the after shocks, dj. Never been in an earthquake myself.
It is nice is one can be close to siblings, whether brothers or sisters. And it is doubly nice when you can help each other. We have done that, but haven’t seen the reverse for the most part, if at all. I think it is not unusual from what I observe in many families, however.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My brother still helps Art so that is good. I just can’t deal with the trade-offs of getting his help. Of course, Art was there for him for the first major surgery and for the second repair.
LikeLiked by 2 people