Episode 10 - Beautifully Broken: A Mother-Daughter Journey Through Widowhood with Sharon Engram and Lori Rohlinger

Date: November 21, 2023

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Sharon Engram and Lori Rohlinger~Mother and Daughter both widowed

 

Story Highlight: In the tapestry of life, grief and loss are inevitable threads that weave through our stories. For Lori and her mother, Sharon, the journey through widowhood became an unexpected and challenging chapter. Lori lost her husband at the tender age of 40, and Sharon, after 60 years of marriage, shares their poignant narrative of pain, loneliness, and grief. Yet, within the shedding of their tears, they discovered the beauty of brokenness and the comforting presence of God.

The unraveling journey begins with the shattering news of Lori's husband's disease. After losing him, the ache in her heart mirrors the emptiness her mother feels after losing her life partner of six decades. Together, they explore the depths of their grief, grappling with the void left behind and navigating the unfamiliar terrain of loneliness.

Shared tears, mother and daughter find solace in sharing their grief. Through the mutual pain, an unbreakable bond was birthed, realizing that their grief, though unique, profoundly united them. Amid their sorrow, they discovered the strength that comes from vulnerability and the healing power of shared stories. Together, they realized they needed to write a devotional which was just like the one they, themselves needed, but couldn’t find anywhere.

As they began to write their manuscript, wrestling with questions, choosing specific words like desperate, fear, brokenness, loneliness, why, and many more, they grappled with the why and how of their losses. Working through their pain, and their birthed desire to help others navigate these tumultuous waters, Lori and Sharon engaged in a dialogue with each other and God. Through prayers, doubts, and moments of questioning, they found a deeper understanding of God, their faith strengthened and came into a profound source of strength in their relationship with Jesus. They unearthed a deeper kind of beauty. They discovered that healing doesn't mean erasing the scars but embracing the transformation from walking through the fire. Each cracked piece becomes a testament to resilience and the refining power of grief. Through prayer, meditation, and reflection on Scripture, they found a profound intimacy with their faith that transcends the pain. Their encounters with Jesus became a guiding light, leading them through the darkest corridors of grief.

As they navigate the years post-loss, Sharon and Lori reflect on the lessons learned and share those lessons with others. They discovered a deeper definition of love—one that transcends the physical presence of a spouse. Their journey becomes a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of mortality.

The two now share with others a tapestry woven with threads of hope. They recount the moments of grace, unexpected joys, and the beauty that emerged from the broken pieces of their lives. Their story becomes a beacon for others navigating the labyrinth of grief, reminding them that there is hope beyond the pain.

"Beautifully Broken" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit through faith, and the enduring gift of God’s love. In sharing their journey through widowhood, Sharon and Lori invite others to find beauty in their brokenness and experience the closeness of Jesus as they navigate the complex terrain of grief of widowhood. They say God has led them every step of the way.

 

About the Guest (Bio): Sharon Engram~Mother of Lori Rohlinger

Sharon was in ministry with her husband, Don Engram, for sixty years, including Youth for Christ and pastoring three churches. She has led women’s ministries, taught bible studies, and led and speaks at women’s retreats and conferences in the United States and Internationally. Sharon and Don were active in overseas ministries while pastoring and she has traveled to fifty-five countries. Don entered his eternal home in 2019. Sharon lives in Goodyear, Arizona, where she enjoys serving in her church, reading, and spending time with her adult children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

 

About the Guest (Bio): Lori Rohlinger~daughter of Sharon Engram. Lori was in ministry with her husband, Greg Rohlinger, for twenty-three years. They started in ministry right after marriage, planted a church together, and were blessed to see God grow it rapidly. In March 2011, Greg was diagnosed with a terminal neurological disease. Their children were ages 13, 11, 8 and 5. He died just short of five years after his diagnosis. Since his death, Lori has been raising their four children, spoke at the Flourish women’s conference in New Mexico, has a blog on widowhood, and does a podcast called Beautifully Broken. Lori works for Church by the Glades in Coral Springs, Florida, as their online host and breeds Bernedoodles. 

 

Book Spotlight: Surviving Widowhood: 40 Devotions of Hope

You may have lost your husband suddenly, had only a few months to say goodbye, or were a caregiver for several years. Most widows don't have the capacity for a book about moving through the trenches of grief or grappling with day-to-day life. That's why this mother-daughter author team chose to write short bite-sized devotions of hope from their journeys through grief.

Daughter Lori's husband of twenty-one years died of a neurological disorder, and mother Sharon's husband of sixty years passed away from an unexpected aggressive cancer. Both women understand grief, and they extend warm, comforting words of love from Jesus to other widows in their times of deep loss. With each tender devotion and enough space for journaling your thoughts, their messages will help you:

• Lean into Jesus and His love
• Seek personal self-care
• Accept comfort from others
• Guide children through the grief process
• Make important life and daily decisions
• Celebrate the holidays and special events
• In Surviving Widowhood: 40 Devotions of Hope, your grieving heart will be comforted, your tears will be seen, and your soul will be nourished.

 

Connect with Lori Rohlinger:

• lorirohlinger@outlook.com
• Surviving Widowhood: 40 Devotions of Hope
• Beautifully Broken (http://feeds.buzzsprout.com/853060)