What I learned from the Widow

As a women who champions' love and marriage, it is always with great sadness I receive news of a married man's death. One reason is because I have compassion on the the mourning wife. The news of Nelson Mandelas' passing is no different for me. My heart goes out to his wife.

A report in the Huffington Post, Canada reads:

They were married on his 80th birthday. Now, in Nelson Mandela's 95th year, Graca Machel must say farewell. 

The third wife of the revered former South African president was by her husband's side earlier this summer when Mandela was admitted to hospital in June and multiple news reports stated Mandela was in grave condition. Machel, 68, remained quiet amidst the rumors Mandela was in a vegetative state and shortly thereafter the couple celebrated their 15th anniversary on July 18. Mandela made a recovery and returned home. Mandela died months later on December 5.

(Read the full article here) 

This short piece reminds me that we must stay married on purpose in order to live married until death do us part. Without focusing on the previous wives that Nelosn Mandela had, today I want to deal with Graca Machel, his widow. We can learn a great deal from this short description of her marriage.

Picture with me how she must have admired the 80 year old man she married. After all, he was old! Even as our husbands age, you and I must always find reasons to admire them. 

Allow yourself to imagine her heart racing while rushing to the Hospital and watching the vibrant healthy man she married appear weakened in his body, not to mention what may been going on in his spirit. In sickness and in health is what we promised. This wife stayed present with her husband, the famous Nelson Mandela, even while he was reported to be in "grave condition". How many wives leave when things get weak and grave in their marriages? 


What about remaining quiet amidst rumors? This takes honor and nothing short of God's amazing grace! Wives, we must acknowledge that the public, friends, and even family will make general sweeping statements about our husbands condition or status in life. Are you prepared to be quick to listen and slow to speak?

Wives, we cannot add to public comment, like, follow, or photos if we desire to maintain dignity and some privacy in our marriages. This wife remained quiet. Can you do it?

I believe that as we honor God's way in marriage, He allows our husbands to recover from what ails them and return home. What kind of home does your husband return to?

Is it a place of peace, rest, comfort for him or are you too busy living your own separate life? Do you plan time to minister to him when he in a state of recovery? These issues ladies represent real life stages in marriage!

 What lessons are you prepared to learn in Wife School?

There are so many lessons that can be learned from the widow but, today I send prayers to heaven for the wife and now widow of Nelson Mandela.

For Graca Machel I pray comfort and strength. I pray that God will grant her peace.

After all, her husband lived and died for it.

Ministering to marriages, one wife at a time
Lisa Ellis Williams