Losing My Husband Shattered Me—But Grief Led Me to Unexpected Purpose
At 43 years young, my world changed forever. My late husband unexpectedly transitioned, leaving me with four adult children—two of whom were still in college. My two oldest were my bonus children; their mother had transitioned just five years earlier. Together, we were navigating the blending of a family, raising children, and running a business we had built over the last 17 years. Life was full, and I believed I had experienced my share of challenges.
But nothing could have prepared me for what shook my faith to its core. No amount of previous triumphs—writing my book Faithpreneur, co-authoring the award-winning Shift On, speaking on stages, or appearing on local morning shows—could shield me from the wave of grief that hit.
People would often ask, “What’s next for you?” Most days, I could only say, “I’m just taking it one day at a time.” And if I’m honest, sometimes it was one minute at a time.
I knew I had to live because my children needed me. They became my WHY. Every call, every text, every time I looked into their eyes, I reminded myself: You’ve got to figure out how to take one more step.
I sought help. I jumped into group therapy and individual therapy like it was my job.
I stayed connected to my church family. My pastor, first lady, ministers, and friends made sure I kept hearing the Word. Faith comes by hearing, and they would not let my faith completely run dry.
Still, the woman known as the “Faithpreneur” was shaken—almost shattered.
I didn’t find any rule books or cheat codes for grief.
All I found was the work—the hard, sacred work of grieving—and the need to stay close to God.
Funny enough, purpose doesn’t get quiet during hardships; it speaks even louder.
In the depths of my pain, I heard God clearly say: Do not hide your healing. Share your journey. The more you share, the more you will heal.
Six months after my husband’s passing, I hosted my first widow gathering.
I thought I was bringing other widows together to help me heal, but I quickly realized God had something much bigger in mind. Some came to support me, and others came because they needed support themselves. Through laughter, tears, and honest conversations, a new sisterhood was born—rooted in healing and hope.
Most didn’t want to “move on.” We wanted to move forward.
“Moving on” often sounds like forgetting, and most of us didn’t want to forget. A few didn’t have good marriages and didwant to forget. But grief showed up either way—I noticed that.
The majority of us had loved deeply and lived fully in those chapters of our lives. What we craved was to feel again—to feel joy, laughter, love, and community.
And so, WidowConnect was informally born.
It wasn’t about building a brand. It was about building a bridge—a bridge back to hope, back to life, back to laughter. And we all agreed on that. I started hosting events, writing with other widows, and creating spaces where healing could happen freely. We even wrote a widow’s book—not for profit, but as a tool to help others walking the same road.
An accountant and business strategist by trade, it went against every business instinct not to charge for these events. But faith doesn’t always follow what makes sense—yet it always speaks truth.
Today, eight years later, I stand as a living testimony of God’s faithfulness.
I am now happily remarried to an amazing man who honors my past and embraces our future.
Our business of 25 years continues to thrive, supported by a faithful group of employees (my work family) who have journeyed with me. I’ve spoken on numerous stages, shared my story, and watched grown men cry, hug me tightly, and recommit to being present and purposeful in their lives and marriages.
And the widows—the forever sisters I gained along the way—still show up at events, smiling and saying, “Hey sister, we’re moving forward.”
We are living proof that God’s purpose remains, even after life’s greatest heartbreaks.
The mission does not change because of the storm. Everyone faces something that shakes them to their core.
I want to encourage you today: lean in, do the work, stay close to the Word, and obey God’s voice—even when your heart feels broken beyond repair. The other side holds more than you can imagine.
God never changes His mind about your purpose.
If you are still breathing, you still have purpose.
Rise up, sister. Walk boldly into the more God has for you.
Marquita Miller-Joshua is a faith-driven business owner, author, speaker. Passionate about helping others rise through life’s challenges, inspiring thousands with her journey of resilience, faith, and business leadership.
Your story matters—because healing is contagious and hope is powerful. If you’ve walked through grief, loss, or unexpected transition and found purpose on the other side, we want to hear from you.
Share your story and join a sisterhood of women who are turning pain into purpose, just like you. Your testimony could be the lifeline someone else needs. Email us at contact@todayspurposewomanmag.com
