An Inheritance for who? 3

So sorry i couldn't post on Monday last week. i was away on a training.

Here's the concluding part of the post. 

You are blessed!

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children …

Proverbs 13: 22a

Is a widow less human than others? Does the loss of a spouse mean the end of a widow’s life? Take it from me; losing your husband does seem like the end. But if a widow can through the help and grace of God work through her grief to a place where she can function well as a member of the society, live a fulfilled life and contribute to her chosen field of endeavour or her community positively should she be stopped? Why must a woman be accused of killing her husband but even if a man physically kills his wife, he is left to go scout free?  Is it because the wife belongs to him she is one of his properties and he can do as he pleases with her? Why must we hold on to the negative and retrogressive customs and beliefs? No wonder Africa is referred to as the ‘Dark Continent’. It’s not about the colour of our skin but the darkness of some of our practices. Why is it okay for a man to wait for his brother’s death so he can inherit? Why shouldn’t he work for his own? When a man gives birth to children shouldn’t he take care of them or make provisions for them? If a man’s brother inherits all he has what of the children that came out of his loins? Why is it not right for a widow or a man’s children inherit what he has but it is okay for a brother and even some distant relation to do so?

The Bible is very clear a GOOD MAN leaves an Inheritance not only for his children but his grand children! Yet many who perpetrate these evils against women call themselves Christians and many have positions and titles in the church. Is it wrong for a man to be man enough to make adequate arrangements for his family’s upkeep? Is it a sin to build your home in your joint names? Should a man exchange vows with a woman before God and man and then fail to cherish, protect and love her? If a man can give his body over and over again to a woman why can he not trust her with his money? She bears his children meets his physical, emotional and social needs and if he dies she has to raise his children all by herself. Knowing this why do men fear taking steps that will leave their families comfortable? No woman marries a man expecting him to die we all want to live with our husbands till old age. The emotional pain and grief a woman go through when her husband dies cannot even be imagined by those who have not passed through it so why afflict her further.

What many fail to realize is that a lot of these women build up whatever the man has together with him, making sacrifices and contributing their own resources, they encourage him, advise him and pray for him. When he doesn’t have they ‘soak garri’ and eat happily yet he places his brother who knows nothing about how the money is made above his wife and children. Even if a man’s brother is a partner in his business he is only entitled to his own share. I make bold to say that sometimes the same people accusing the wives of killing the man are the real culprits and in a bid to clear their tracks they accuse the wife.

Having said all this and asked so many questions I believe I should attempt to answer some of these questions as I bring this three part post to an end. Is it okay to accuse a woman of killing her husband when there is nothing to substantiate such claims? No! Is it okay for a man’s brothers or relations to take all he has when he dies leaving nothing for his wife and children? No! Must a widow live a defeated poverty stricken and sorrowful life as a proof of her innocence and love for her husband? No! Should people insist on clinging to the negative, retrogressive and dehumanizing practice of accusing widows of killing their husbands? No! Should a man make provisions for his family while alive? Yes! Should a wife and children inherit what their husband /father left? Yes! Does a widow deserve to simply live again and make the most of the life God has given her? Yes! Does a woman have value as an individual? Yes! Should she be recognized and allowed to function as a distinct individual created in the image and likeness of God for good works? A definite Yes!

If you have suffered unjustly commit all to God because ‘He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice….’ Deut 10: 18.  Whether you have been a victim of this unfortunate practice or not, each one has a role to play by standing up and speaking out for what is right in our families and communities. The post may have ended for now but my resolve to do whatever I can to put an end to this and other negative practices is strengthened. I hope you will decide not to sit on the fence and let evil thrive but do something. Anything from prayer to being an advocate will count.