After loss, it can feel like joy disappeared with the life you once knew. But is it possible to experience real joy again while you are still grieving?

In this episode of A Widow’s Life, Vickie and Cindy are joined by their friend Imagene for a heartfelt conversation about the difference between happiness and biblical joy, and how joy can remain present even in seasons of sorrow.

They discuss how joy is more than an emotion. It is rooted in God’s presence, the Holy Spirit, gratitude, praise, obedience, laughter, and the assurance that God is still with us—even in the hardest moments. They also share personal stories of loss, provision, friendship, and the ways God has carried them through difficult seasons.

You’ll hear encouragement about:

• How grief and joy can exist at the same time
• Why joy is not dependent on your circumstances
• Rekindling joy through praise and gratitude
• The importance of choosing to rejoice even when you don’t feel like it
• How serving and encouraging others can bring joy back into your own life
• The power of laughter during difficult seasons
• Why protecting your joy also helps protect your strength and faith
• Trusting God to provide, rescue, redeem, and walk with you through every storm

If you have wondered, “Will I ever feel joy again?” this episode is a reminder that grief does not mean joy is gone forever. There can still be beauty to notice, goodness to find, laughter to experience, and joy to rediscover as you continue walking with God.

As Vickie reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”

Listen in and be encouraged that sorrow does not get the final word.

After losing a husband, one of the things a widow may miss most is something that can be hard to put into words: touch.

Holding hands. A hug. An arm around your shoulder. A hand on your back. Sitting close together. Those small, everyday moments of physical connection can suddenly be gone, and their absence can feel incredibly deep.

In this episode of A Widow’s Life, Vickie and Cindy talk about the power of touch and why connection matters so much after loss.

They share personal stories about missing the physical touch of their husbands and discuss how a simple hug, a gentle touch on the arm, or simply staying present with someone can communicate, You matter. I see you. I care about you.

This conversation also goes beyond physical touch. Sometimes we “touch” another person through kindness, encouragement, a smile, a thoughtful gift, a meal, a note, or simply taking the time to notice someone.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why widows may deeply miss physical touch after losing a spouse
• The importance of asking for a hug when you need one
• How simple physical connection can help us feel cared for and less alone
• Why consent and sensitivity matter when offering someone a hug or physical touch
• How Jesus used touch as an expression of compassion and care
• Why a hug can become a ministry all by itself
• Ways to “touch” someone’s heart through kindness, encouragement, and thoughtful gestures
• How serving and caring for others can also help bring connection back into our own lives
• The importance of letting God touch your heart so you can reach out and touch the lives of others

You may not always know what someone around you is carrying. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness—a hug, a smile, a kind word, or simply staying and listening—can mean more than you realize.

And if you are the one longing for connection, remember: it is okay to say, “I need a hug.”

You were never meant to walk through grief completely alone.

🎙️ The Power of Touch: Why Connection Matters After Loss

Grief changes so much about our lives—including the thoughts we think, the routines we follow, and the pathways our minds naturally travel.

In this episode of A Widow’s Life, Vickie and Cindy talk about what it means to begin creating new pathways after loss. Just as walking the same trail through the grass eventually creates a visible path, repeatedly thinking the same thoughts can create deeply established patterns in our minds. But those patterns don’t have to determine where we go next.

Together, they explore the connection between Scripture, our thoughts, and what we are learning about the brain. They discuss the importance of renewing the mind, recognizing negative thought patterns, and intentionally replacing them with the truth of God’s Word.

For widows, creating new pathways doesn’t mean erasing the life you shared with your husband or forgetting the memories you treasure. It means learning how to build something new alongside what was there before—new routines, new experiences, new ways of thinking, and new reminders that your life still has purpose and value.

Vickie and Cindy also talk about the Lord’s Prayer and how slowing down to truly consider its words can help redirect our thoughts toward God—His provision, His will, His forgiveness, His protection, and His presence.

You’ll also hear practical encouragement for creating new pathways in everyday life: taking a walk, trying something different, learning a new skill, changing a routine, getting your body moving, practicing gratitude, and intentionally speaking God’s truth when your thoughts begin pulling you toward fear, loneliness, or discouragement.

You may still be able to say, “I miss my husband,” while also saying, “God still has good things for my life.” You may feel lonely today while reminding yourself that you are not alone. And you may acknowledge that your life has changed while still believing that your life has value.

Creating new pathways takes repetition. It happens one thought, one choice, one prayer, and one step at a time.

So today, ask yourself:

What new pathway could I begin creating?

You don’t have to change everything at once. Choose one small thing, begin there, and trust God as He continues leading you forward.

Blessings,

Vickie & Cindy

A Widow’s Life