‘Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.’~ Psalm 107:1-3
God really taught me a lesson over the weekend. Sometimes I start grumbling about all the things I need/have to do. I want to put up my feet once-in-while, just veg out (I hope I am not the only one)…
Saturday I watched a documentary called “The Forgotten Woman“. Have you ever talked to a TV-screen? Well, let me tell you; I talked a lot to the TV on Saturday; tears flooded my eyes; I shook my head over what I saw/heard.
The documentary is about widows in India. Talk about some awakening of my senses; my sense of injustice. I was upset about how society in India treats its widows; they are indeed forgotten. Did you know that women who lost their husbands are outcasts? They are called witches, because families believe that widows are the cause of their husband’s death? Oh my goodness…
One woman in particular broke my heart. She said: “If god is real, why did he allow me to be born?’…She was first mistreated by her husband; and after he died she was cast out by his family; treated like a slave.
You know what I said the TV? ‘God is real, but not the god you believe in’…Oh my dear sisters…I just wanted to reach through the TV screen and hug this woman; telling her about my God; the God of love, compassion and inclusion.
After watching this 2008 documentary, so many things have become clear to me. For one thing: why the orphanages are full. You know why? Widows that have children are most likely not to remarry, even if they are very young widows. It was said in the film that “A woman is like a flower, and should be only given once in marriage”. Ouch!!!!
There a some organizations thatΒ help widows in India to become independent. They educate the women, give them hope for a brighter future. I pray that one day these women will encounter the God of love; the God that truly cares for them.
I am thankful that I know a God, who scarified His only son; a God who loves me, no matter what…
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You from the bottom of my heart that You have opened my eyes once again. Lord, there is so much hurt in this world, help me to see it. Lord, show me a way how I can support women who are mistreated. I am trusting in Your mercy. In Jesus’ name…Amen.
Dear sisters in Christ; I urge you to watch the movie. But I also want to put a disclaimer on it: it might be painful to watch.
Thank you for stopping by today…