Sadness During the Holidays

As Thanksgiving day approaches many of us have so many things to be thankful for…

Faith, family, friends, health, the upcoming year filled with new adventures, and maybe crossing another item off our bucket list. For most, our thanksgiving list can go on and on.

But for some, dealing with a pain-consumed heart from loss, tragedy, or misfortune overshadows thanksgiving.

Rosa (all names have been changed in this post) who learned her son was arrested due to drug related charges and will most likely be in prison for many years.

Trisha who lost her best friend during the Borderline shooting and is grieving, plus dealing with the trauma she experienced having been there but survived.

Randy who will be alone during the holiday season because his ex-wife has the kids and his family is far away.

Tanya a little 4^th grader who will spend Thanksgiving alone with her mom and little brother, because her parents are getting a divorce and she won’t be able to see her dad.

David who’s a single man, but desperately wants to find someone to share his life with.

Sandy who is facing the first holiday season since her son committed suicide.

Glen who recently lost his job and is wondering how he will provide for his young family.

Marilyn whose husband just left her for someone else and she’s struggling to keep it together for her two kids.

Stan who just had major surgery and is facing another within the year.

The Jones family, and many others, who lost their homes during the recent fires.

Paul who just lost his mom to cancer.

William who was recently widowed and is facing the first Christmas without his wife.

Gloria who once again has to face another Christmas without her husband after having celebrated 39 Christmas’ together.

There are countless reasons one could be struggling during the holiday season, and finding it hard to be thankful.

This year as you make your lists of how thankful you are look for those who are hurting and be the arms of Jesus for them. Look for those who will be alone and invite them to share Thanksgiving and/or Christmas with your family.

Be sensitive to the grieving and hurting people and look for ways to show love. Whether by listening, helping, or inviting. Invite as many people to church so they can hear about the love of Jesus and the life eternal He offers through the cross.

 

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.”

-Psalm 16:9

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”

-Psalm 119:114

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.”

-Jeremiah 17:7

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

-Philippians 3:20

“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”

-Titus 1:2

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

-Revelation 21:4

Love, celebrate, be thankful, and please look for those who need extra love and care this holiday season, because, what is joyous for you, may be excruciatingly painful for others.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

-1 John 4:7

May we love one another.

Fondly,

Lu

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