One of the realities of living in our community is that as we age, the balance between the number of men and women changes.

Part of this is the simple fact that women outlive men. Often men are in higher risk occupations (although that is changing).

Those who have lost a life partner are called widows (or widowers if they are men).

You might be surprised to hear that in Owen Sound there are nearly 1600 women and just 315 men who are widowed. That compares to 118,000 men and 495,000 women who are widowed in Ontario.

The women I have talked to over the years often feel awkward when their spouse dies. They become the "fifth wheel" at a dinner party or of the odd one out at a gathering. Friends may disappear.

One of the healthiest responses to widowhood I ever came across was in a rural community.

When a woman’s husband died, she was supported through the immediate loss by her family and friends. But within a month, a couple of the women in the community, who had been widowed themselves, called her and invited her to lunch. There was no pressure, just a lot of laughter and memories and sharing.

A month later, the woman was invited to a larger lunch of six to eight widows, again, all in the community. Then invitations to other social events and shopping trips followed. After a year or so, there might be an invitation to travel together on a bus trip to Branson, Missouri or to Florida in the winter or even Las Vegas. All without pressure and a genuine offer of friendship.

One thing I learned as pastor was that I would never, ever get these women on the phone before mid-morning. They would call each other and chat every day. They shared cares and burdens and became new, healthy people.

I share all this because of a recent article in Biblical Archeology Review (don’t let the title scare you; it’s a very readable and fascinating magazine) about the role of widows in the Bible. The author, Robin Gallaher Branch, points out that throughout scripture widowhood signals a new season, a new time in a woman’s life. Lacking the projective care of a husband, widows, grouped with children, the fatherless, poor and resident aliens, were to come under God’s special protective care.

Texts in the both the Old and New Testaments made clear God’s command that they were not to be oppressed.

Jesus himself had especially harsh words for the teachers of the law who devoured widow’s homes , condemning all who were predators against this vulnerable group.

But what is the role of the widow?

Just as women and men who are widowed find themselves in challenging situations, the presence of widows are an important maker for significant events. In other words, when a widow appears in the story, we best pay attention. Something really, really important is about to happen.

A prophet’s widow appeals to the prophet Elisha for help. Her sons are about to be sold as slaves to pay her husband’s debts. Elisha commands her to gather vessels of oil from her neighbours, which she is then able to sell to settle the debts and keep her sons out of slavery.

Then there is the widow of Zarapeth whose son is restored to life after Elijah, who has received her hospitality, complains to God

In Jesus’ day, the funeral procession at Nain becomes jubilant when Jesus, having compassion for the widow, raises her son from death.

Then there is the wonderful story of commitment and faithfulness of Ruth and the widow Naomi.

Finally, there is Anna, who prays night and day in the Temple in Jerusalem, meets Mary and Joseph and Jesus and speaks of the baby as the one who we will look forward to for the redemption of Jerusalem.

I haven’t even touched on the soap opera of Queen Athalia, following her husband’s death or the widow Abigail who accepts King David’s proposal of marriage.

Widows are intended to be strong and powerful, specially protected by God. Their presence in the Biblical story is like a flashing light for us to pay attention to what is happening. It is important. Tell that to a widow the next time you see them.

Rev. David Shearman is the minister of Central Westside United Church, Owen Sound and the host of Faithworks on Rogers TV - Grey County, Cable 53.