A Widow's Might
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Ada's husband had died three years ago. The journey through grief was a long road, but she was making progress. She didn't awake thinking her husband Arnold was standing in front of her anymore. She didn't cry out in loneliness so often anymore. She was healing, although she knew in a way she would always need healing.
Ada was getting restless. She wanted to return to the active social schedule she had had with Arnold. But she needed a safe place to socialize.
Ada moved to be closer to her daughter. She liked the town, but she didn't know many people -- until a neighbor offered Ada a ride to church with her. Ruth, who was also a widow, had heard Ada had moved to the neighborhood and invited herself over with cookies one day. She told Ada about the busy church across town where she attended. They shared and laughed and started a friendship that day.
Ada lived three doors down from Ruth and they spent much time together. Ruth introduced Ada to all kinds of people and soon Ada had a full calendar. But Tuesday was always reserved for Ruth. They had a standing lunch date, a group came over for a card game, and then they all had dinner. They had a wonderful time.
One of Ada's interests had always been art and sewing. When the church had a need for banners for the lounge, Ada recruited Ruth to help cut and pin. Ada made beautiful banners, designed with simplicity and drama. Ada dragged Ruth along to the craft bazaars and soon Ada formed a small group to make projects. She inspired them to make projects all year and donate them for sale at the church bazaar.
Ada was busy and always giving of her time. Her pension wasn't very big, but it was just big enough for her to manage the upkeep on her house. Besides, she needed money to keep her passion alive. She always found ways to integrate art into whatever she was doing.
Ada designed a funeral pall in time for the dedication of the new sanctuary. Two matching banners had been crafted for their permanent home on each side of the enormous cross hanging against the back wall. Signs were needlepointed to instruct visitors where the restrooms, office, and points of interest were.
Ada stenciled the wall of the new bathrooms. On the doors, matching wreaths hung above embroidered signs. Nothing "new" for Ada remained untouched by her love of handcrafting.
When babies were baptized, it was Ada who embroidered a tiny cross in peach and light green at the corner of a hanky. New members got a small quilt with the name of the church embroidered in the center. After funerals, Ada made flowers from the ribbon of the bouquets, giving one to each member of the family to keep.
On cold nights, Ada could take a tiny bit of comfort knowing that many of the homeless were wearing scarves or mittens her group gathered to crochet every Monday evening. So many projects -- so much energy! And all from one woman!
Ada kept up her pace in her new environment for thirteen years until her health declined. At her funeral, friends spoke of a tiny woman, full of ideas, full of energy, and full of initiative. Ada didn't have much money, but she had might. A widow's might that gave warmth, comfort, treasures, and beauty to others for generations to come.
Ada was getting restless. She wanted to return to the active social schedule she had had with Arnold. But she needed a safe place to socialize.
Ada moved to be closer to her daughter. She liked the town, but she didn't know many people -- until a neighbor offered Ada a ride to church with her. Ruth, who was also a widow, had heard Ada had moved to the neighborhood and invited herself over with cookies one day. She told Ada about the busy church across town where she attended. They shared and laughed and started a friendship that day.
Ada lived three doors down from Ruth and they spent much time together. Ruth introduced Ada to all kinds of people and soon Ada had a full calendar. But Tuesday was always reserved for Ruth. They had a standing lunch date, a group came over for a card game, and then they all had dinner. They had a wonderful time.
One of Ada's interests had always been art and sewing. When the church had a need for banners for the lounge, Ada recruited Ruth to help cut and pin. Ada made beautiful banners, designed with simplicity and drama. Ada dragged Ruth along to the craft bazaars and soon Ada formed a small group to make projects. She inspired them to make projects all year and donate them for sale at the church bazaar.
Ada was busy and always giving of her time. Her pension wasn't very big, but it was just big enough for her to manage the upkeep on her house. Besides, she needed money to keep her passion alive. She always found ways to integrate art into whatever she was doing.
Ada designed a funeral pall in time for the dedication of the new sanctuary. Two matching banners had been crafted for their permanent home on each side of the enormous cross hanging against the back wall. Signs were needlepointed to instruct visitors where the restrooms, office, and points of interest were.
Ada stenciled the wall of the new bathrooms. On the doors, matching wreaths hung above embroidered signs. Nothing "new" for Ada remained untouched by her love of handcrafting.
When babies were baptized, it was Ada who embroidered a tiny cross in peach and light green at the corner of a hanky. New members got a small quilt with the name of the church embroidered in the center. After funerals, Ada made flowers from the ribbon of the bouquets, giving one to each member of the family to keep.
On cold nights, Ada could take a tiny bit of comfort knowing that many of the homeless were wearing scarves or mittens her group gathered to crochet every Monday evening. So many projects -- so much energy! And all from one woman!
Ada kept up her pace in her new environment for thirteen years until her health declined. At her funeral, friends spoke of a tiny woman, full of ideas, full of energy, and full of initiative. Ada didn't have much money, but she had might. A widow's might that gave warmth, comfort, treasures, and beauty to others for generations to come.
