Just overnight a rock landed on them and their whole world was turned upside down. One church member helped with the burden and offered his home to this family of six. He remarried at eighty years of age. He had a wonderful year with his second wife. But recently we received a phone call that she had suddenly fallen very ill, and then another phone call the next day telling us that she had died.
Sudden widowhood can be a staggering blow.
People who are otherwise vigorous and hopeful feel paralyzed by such blows. We should offer practical help, walk alongside them, pray with them, have hope that they can't have, help give them a sense of direction, help them make decisions. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For each one should carry his own load. It refers to a soldier's pack.