As beautiful as this season is, there is also this emptiness and uncomfortable sadness that, no matter how hard we may try to push it down, keeps bubbling back up to the surface. It happens at the oddest of times, bringing on a string of tears and a rush of blood throughout my body, sometimes making us want to hide or scream at the top of my lungs, or just burst out in tears! Reminders of our loved ones now passed on are everywhere, no matter the time they have been gone, but it is particularly hard that first year. Everywhere we turn, we see their faces and hear their voices and laughter. While we may hate it and love it at the same time, often it brings on glimmers of hope and a sense of peace, and then other times, it stirs within us a concoction of emotions that don’t make any sense. This Christmas, as we gather around the table, with our family, friends, or just a friend. Perhaps even alone, take notice of that empty seat and try to put on a brave face. We will share stories and try to enjoy our time together, but the void will cause us to slip into different places of grief.
But, where our words actions, and emotions will usually fall short, God’s Word is perfect and always brings us hope. Maybe this verse will help – 2 Corinthians 1:3 to praise God even in our pain because He is the One Who comforts us in our times of trouble and need. It’s so encouraging to know that we serve a God of compassion, A God that meets us where we are and extends His love and mercy, amid our suffering and grief. Just knowing that He sees us and that we are never forgotten should give us a sense of peace. Tis the season, HIs season of Love, HOPE, Grace, Faith, Peace, and JOY!
Thank you so much for this Debbie. It does help!!
You expressed what so many of us feel esp at this time of year with memories of holidays in times gone by. Thanks for sharing! 😥❤️
Youre most welcome
I lost my husband this past January so this entire year has been filled with those “firsts”. I have no family here in Arizona but a few friends. More than likely I will just be home alone for Christmas. Me and my dogs. Everyone I know will be with their families and I really don’t want to sit with someone else’s family. The journey of grief is long and hard especially with the loss of a spouse. I’m grateful that I have the Lord to lean on. He is my rock and my strength and my provider. I’m still trying to figure out who I am now. I’ve been a wife and help me for nearly all of my adult life. I’m now 71.
Cheryl, so many understand you and feel the same way my dear. Grief can be a long and hard process, there is no one way to do it, nor a specific amount of time. Im so grateful you know the Lord and lean on Him for all that you need. I wish you a Christmas filled with good memories, peace of mind and JOY, His Joy in your heart that fills your body.
Beautiful! It’s like you could see inside my heart.
Merry Christmas, Jean
Beautiful! It’s like you could see inside my heart.
Thank you Debbie for sharing this. My youngest sister lost her son on January 5. They were able to spend last Christmas together.
Debera, oh my my heart goes out to them this year I can only imagine and even that hurts my heart. God bless, and I wish you a Merry Christmas as well as your sister and her family, the JOY of the Lord this time of year. I hope they feel it more abundantly than ever, that Joy that comes from our Lord and Savior.
Love,
Debbie
Dear Debbie,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and hopeful message. My parents had three of us and we just buried our youngest sibling…my little brother, Jimmy. He left behind daughters all in their 30’s and 2 grandsons. We are having a hard time adjusting to his loss. Especially hard because we are all busy during the year and it has been a tradition in our family to always get together for several days during the holidays. He will be missed. Your message has made an impact on me, and I will share your message with my family. May you and your loved ones have a blessed Christmas!
Thank you,
Yoshi
Yoshi, God bless you and your family. I hope that your Christmas was all it could be under the circumstance. Wishing you, and your family a blessed safe, healthy New Year
Dear Debbie,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and hopeful message. My parents had three of us and we just buried our youngest sibling…my little brother, Jimmy. He left behind daughters all in their 30’s and 2 grandsons. We are having a hard time adjusting to his loss. Especially hard because we are all busy during the year and it has been a tradition in our family to always get together for several days during the holidays. He will be missed. Your message has made an impact on me, and I will share your message with my family. May you and your loved ones have a blessed Christmas!
Thank you,
Yoshi
Yoshi ((((hugs)))) and prayers for you and your family
I have a question. For those of us caring for someone we love who maybe called home a anytime…. is it OK to be grieving at the thought of the impending loss?
I think for me knowing my dad was dying, I thought about what it might or would be like when he did pass away. So, in my own way I guess a part of me was going through that just before he passed away.
Thank you for this important message. I pray for everyone who is affected by the death of a loved one(s). We may feel that we’re alone and we aren’t. God is with us. 🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻
Amen
I understand your deep Grief. I think being 68 I realize just how special all those Christmas’s with everyone around us were. As our loved ones pass, we lose those we love unexpectedly, the Hope we have is Christ Jesus becomes more real. But still we grieve and miss those are not with us.
Kathy, I agree with you.