Shirley Mngohol Iange Oyemi

A WIDOW’S TALE

September 25th, 2021 — the day my life took a different turn.

I still replay that day in my head sometimes. But even in the midst of the pain, there was a constant assurance from God: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
And He has been true to His Word.

When I look back at the past 5 years of my life, I can honestly say that every significant growth, every unexpected provision, every door that opened, and every strength I somehow found when I thought I had none was orchestrated by God.
Yes, I have tried to be diligent. I have stumbled. I have failed more times than I care to admit. I have questioned myself, lost my way, and had moments when I wondered how I would keep going.

But God has continually shown me mercy.

Lately, I have been doing a lot of soul-searching, and there is one thing I simply cannot shake, the overwhelming Grace of God and His continuous favour over my life.

So today, my heart is filled with gratitude.

Gratitude for the gift of life.
For my children.
For my home.
For my work.
For every lesson, every new beginning, every answered prayer and even the prayers that seemed unanswered.

Because through it all, there has always been this quiet reassurance within me:

I am not alone.
I am covered.
I am shielded.
I am held by God.

And perhaps that is the greatest part of my story, not that I lost someone I loved, but that in losing, I discovered that God was still able to hold me, carry me, rebuild me and give me a life I could still be grateful for.

Five years later, I am still here.

Still becoming.
Still learning.
Still healing.
Still grateful.

And above all, still held by Grace.

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5