March 2007

Widows and Orphans
By Tennessee Elijah

Where there is a widow without a husband, and children without parents, let there be a cup of love poured out upon them. Let the God
of Heaven overflow them with blessings that bring strength, courage, comfort and contentment into their lives.

During this time of trials and conflicts, death comes easy for many who are caught without defense. Each day brings separations between men, women and children, leaving behind aching hearts filled with sorrow when loved ones are taken away. Those who remain alive with only memories to sustain them are in need of compassion. Give them your understanding, your companionship, your prayers, your charity and even your home if need
be – for these are your brothers and sisters.

There are no strangers in the family of God!

There are no differences too great to set one apart from the others. Had
it been in my power to make provision for those who died from hunger, it would have been done. Had it been in my power to restore life to those who died from disease, it would have been done. Had it been in my power to prevent accidents, wars, and murders during the span of my years on Earth, it would have been done. There is nothing good about death, or those things that lead to death. It is only “Life” and the joys of Life that must be cherished above all things.

Though we all must turn loose of flesh if we desire eternity in the Spirit, it is that moment in time when two worlds collide, one made of matter and one
of Spirit, exchanging energies when transformation occurs. There is no easy way to explain to widows and orphans what happens when spirits leave bodies behind, creating chaos in the emotions of hopeless survivors when taking with them the very essence of human identity. Where there was once a soul filled with Life, there is now only an empty vessel remaining with no energy, no thoughts, no desires, and no purpose or reason to exist.

It is, therefore, the duty of those left behind to fill the void of the departed. Where there once was a man to make a home for his family, a husband for
a wife, and a father for his children, another man must come forward as a counselor, provider, and friend. Whether another man is a family member
or neighbor, widows and orphans must be hospitable and grateful when
they are shown love in this way.

This is the promised covenant that all fathers must have with God, their wives, and their children in these days before greater sorrows come --
As humble servants before our Master, and before those in our care, we agree to bind ourselves as One here on Earth, so that we will be as One in the hereafter. In our sacred trust as procreators of Life, we agree to stand when our brothers fall; we agree to enter when our brothers depart; we agree to provide what our brothers have provided to
assure survival of families.

Just as ordinary possessions can be inherited by those who remain, widows and orphaned children are a great wealth that must be shared when a man dies. Broken families should never be regarded as expendable treasures, or cast aside as worthless trash. They must never be treated with disrespect, divided from each other, or be thought of as property worthy of a buyer – simply to satisfy carnal appetites. Precious jewels should be given to kindly benefactors, men of humility who can be servants rather than selfish tyrants.

There are those people of power in governments and the Church who can make a plan to bring healing to families in all nations. To those who have received much, much is required in these days filled with needless pain. Let the wise among the wise choose who will serve and who will be served. It is not irresponsible fools in high places that deserve this honor – for if good men cannot be found to replace what was lost, it will be fools who savagely rape and steal what remains. If this evil is allowed to penetrate civilizations, disharmony will lead to more hate, more destruction, and more death.

The father of a household has sacred duties second only to God; create Life, sustain Life, and rule Life. Any lack of respect or dishonor for fathers, mothers and children will bring discord to nations, sorrow to communities, and poverty leading to division of families. Any lack of compassion for widows and orphans will bring punishment and death!

“Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?” Malachi 2:10