From Grief to God’s Guidance: Dating and Remarriage After Loss (Episode 12)

Show Notes: When “Mr. Perfect” Isn’t: Widowhood, Wisdom, and Starting OverEpisode summary

In Part 2 of Sharon’s story, she shares what it was like to start dating after losing her husband unexpectedly at 37, how “Mr. Perfect” wasn’t what he seemed, and what she learned through a difficult second marriage and divorce. She also talks about grief counseling, the guilt that can come with moving forward, leaning into faith for healing, and how she eventually found her way into a healthier marriage—plus the real-life adjustments that come with being independent for a long time.

What you’ll hear in this episode

1. Sharon’s timeline: widowed at 37, and dating seriously about 9–10 months later
2. “Mr. Perfect”: charm, spiritual concerns, and the pressure to move fast
3. A hard-earned takeaway: premarital counseling matters (even when you think you’re sure)
4. The complicated emotions of moving forward—excitement, guilt, and grief
5. A candid conversation about grief counseling: group vs. one-on-one, and why it can help
6. Faith-centered encouragement on “natural grief” vs. what they call a “spirit of grief,” including prayer
7. Sharon’s reminder: don’t neglect time with God—Psalms as a lifeline when you’re too deep to read much else
8. Divorce grief and guilt—and why it can feel harder than widowhood
9. Encouragement to live your life, build friendships, and not make “getting a man” the next finish line
10. Sharon’s new chapter: remarried for almost four years, and learning how to grow in the differences

Key moments (timestamps)

1. 00:00 – Welcome + Sharon returns for Part 2
2. 00:01 – Widowed at 37; the early grieving season
3. 00:02–00:08 – “Mr. Perfect,” red flags, moving too fast, and why Sharon stayed 10 years
4. 00:07–00:08 – “Be careful, be wise” + premarital counseling
5. 00:09–00:11 – Grief counseling and the guilt of dating again
6. 00:12–00:15 – Prayer + encouragement for heavy, ongoing grief
7. 00:15–00:19 – Staying close to God; Psalms; invitation to begin a relationship with Jesus
8. 00:20–00:23 – Divorce guilt, forgiveness, and learning to move forward
9. 00:23–00:30 – Remarriage, expectations, independence, and adjusting as a couple

Memorable lines / themes (paraphrased)