I did not say it.  God said it.

“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.” – Exodus 22:21-24 (NASB)

So whether people consider a woman a widow or not, look at scripture.  

When a woman marries a man, and that man dies, then that woman is a widow.

If a woman is married in a country where there is no divorce, even in legal or government forms, the status of that woman is a widow.

So whether people “consider” a woman, whose husband died, a widow or not, it’s not that person’s “consideration” or perception that is important.

It IS what God said that is important.  

In the past, I was also viciously attacked in writing, that I was not considered married because I didn’t get married in the catholic church.  So when the man I married died in the country where there was/is no divorce, then my status became a “widow”.  Nobody wants to be that but it is what it is.

When I saw the above scripture AFTER the man I married died, that’s when I found some comfort too, knowing that if anybody wrongs me, then I can just pray and cry out to God.

God is done winking.  

We need to consider our ways.  And be more mindful of the widows in the family, or the widows that we know.  Because God protects those who are His.

And whether or not people believe in God, or what He says and commands in Scripture, God IS.

And God’s Words stands forever.