Patti Burris

Luke 2:36-38

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[a] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

I was anything but forgiving when I realized that my husband of 7 years was leaving me for another woman. I raged against them both, hatred filling my soul. I was terrified of being left alone to raise 4 kids. I was fueled by anger, bitterness and resentment; my only thought on how to cause them as much pain as they had caused me.

I was not a pretty sight at that time, far away from God and as far away from being an Anna as I could possibly get. I continued to hold on and 6 months after our divorce baby #5 was conceived. Although, I was driven by the fear of being abandoned, this pregnancy was a complete shock to me. My heart felt like it would break into a million pieces. I couldn’t seem to find my way out of the storm and sometimes I felt that it would just be easier to go to sleep and never wake up. It was in this time of darkness that I found compassion and sympathy in a co-worker. Although, it never grew past an emotional affair, I knew it was wrong and God convicted me of my sin. Eventually, I quit my job and turned my heart to God. I began a journey of seeking God’s face and in turn, he healed my wounded spirit.

When I first read about Anna, I connected with her immediately. Here was a woman who knew grief, but in her grief, instead of remarrying, which was expected in her culture, she found comfort in God’s arms. She ran to the temple, where she spent the rest of her life in night and day prayer and worship. This is what I seek now. I have found my refuge and never want to leave the shelter of my heavenly father’s arms. It took me years to get here though, and I am here to encourage you to seek God first. If you are going through the storm of a broken relationship or dealing with the grief of a husbands’ death, I am encouraging you to run to God. Before you find yourself in another relationship, run to God and let his love and mercy heal you. We are so quick to jump into earthly relationships, seeking solace for our pain, when God is longing to shelter us from the storm. Run to God, get in the word, sit at his feet in worship and prayer.

We have an example in Anna in how to deal with the grief of a broken relationship or the loss of a husband. Become like Anna, run into the loving arms of our Father, he is waiting.