(K-LOVE Closer Look) - When Peggy Cluse lost her husband, she discovered a profound truth: unless you've experienced the loss of a spouse, it's difficult to truly understand the depth of that void. This realization led her to establish "Boldly Walking with Jesus," a support group she founded at her church in Brookfield Center, Ohio. It specifically serves widows seeking community, understanding and spiritual guidance in grief.
Though caring church communities usually attempt to be kind and helpful, Peggy finds most people lack the experience and empathy for this specialized loss. “I think the Church as a body is supportive,” she assures, but adds that her individual need was deeper than what the church could do. “Honestly, it was not able to reach that part that only comes with real understanding.”
She saw a way to help other widowed women feel less alone.
"They would know that there are other women on that same path, having walked it longer and having walked it shorter, but all of us could be encouraged by the other."
Boldly Walking with Jesus meets weekly and provides a safe space where widows can share their experiences, challenges and find moments of joy together. Active members Faith Faber and Wanda Boyce, who lost their husbands after 46 and 54 years of marriage respectively, emphasize the unique understanding they find within the group.
“We just celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary,” Wanda recalls tearfully of her husband. “We dated since we were 12 years old and he's gone. It's such a void, such an emptiness - you can't imagine until you've gone through it.” Faith agrees. "You can have other friends, but if they're not a widow, they don't know what you're going through."
Beyond emotional support, Boldly Walking with Jesus offers practical advice on navigating life after loss—from handling household responsibilities to managing finances and legal matters. Most importantly, they emphasize leaning on faith during the darkest moments.
"I would like to just encourage any woman out there who finds herself at the start of this journey to know that they are not alone," Peggy advises. "You have Jesus and you have other women. I would say take that bold step out of your door and into living."
For those interested in joining or starting a similar group, "Boldly Walking with Jesus" can be found on Facebook or by emailing Peggy at PeggyCluse@gmail.com.
Action Steps for Widows --
1. Seek specialized support
- Connect with others who understand
- Find a widow's group
- Lean on your faith
"When you're following Jesus, isn't that a great place to start because you will see how he provided" - Peggy
2. Take practical steps
- Get your affairs in order: "Make sure you have all your ducks in a row. Get your wheels, get your titles all straightened out" - Wanda
- Address household responsibilities: Consider what tasks you need help with (lawn care, car maintenance) and seek assistance
3. Move forward boldly
- Don't isolate yourself: "Take that bold step out of your door and into living" - Peggy
- Allow yourself to find joy and laughter again.
Action Steps for Christians Who Want To Help --
1. Provide practical assistance
- Lawn care, car maintenance, household repairs. Just show up and do something. Widows may be too sad to tell you what they need.
- Recognize ongoing needs: Help is needed beyond the initial funeral period.
2. Create community
- Encourage church-based widow groups: If your church doesn't have one, consider starting one.
- Facilitate social activities: Help widows connect with others and engage in life.
- Some women join widow support groups even 30 years after loss.
- Grief isn't something to "get over" but rather to journey through.
- Continue checking in long after the funeral when others have moved on.
3. Recognize Grief Has No Timeline
- Some women join widow support groups even 30 years after loss.
- Grief isn't something to "get over" but rather to journey through.
- Continue checking in long after the funeral when others have moved on.