[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] When Christmas Is Hard | Encouragement For Today

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] When Christmas Is Hard | Encouragement For
Today
Date: 
Fri, 9 Dec 2011 08:15:48 -0500



           
               
           
                        December 9, 2011

                              When Christmas is Hard
                              LeAnn Rice
                             

                          "He heals the brokenhearted." Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
                           
                        Looking at the calendar, I counted the number of
days till Christmas. I'd done it every year, eagerly looking forward to
celebrating Christ's birth or surprising someone with the perfect Christmas
gift.
                         
                        However, this time I was counting down the days
not with excitement, but with dread.
                        My husband Ron passed away in April. That
Christmas would be one of many dreaded "firsts" that my son and I would
have without him.
                         
                        Fragile, shattered and alone describe my feelings
that holiday season. While everyone else seemed caught up in happy
festivities, their family togetherness magnified my lonely brokenness.
                         
                        Along with overwhelming grief, I was worried. How
would I financially support us? How could I help my son have a fun holiday
when I could hardly stop crying? It all seemed like too much.
                         
                        Maybe you understand because this holiday season
is hard for you too. A loved one may have passed or someone you love is
battling a serious illness. This might be your first holiday separated or
divorced. Just as I did, you may be feeling grief, dread or worry.
                         
                        That first Christmas without my husband was
fourteen years ago. Its taken time, but over the years I've adopted some
practices to help me find joy during the Christmas season. I'd love to
share with you today.
                         
                        Honor your loved one. My husband's absence at
special occasions still weighs on my heart years later. To honor his
memory, Nick and I place a special ornament on our Christmas tree. It hangs
front and center as a reminder Ron is a part of every celebration, because
he is a part of us. Perhaps you can hang an ornament on your tree, give a
gift in your loved one's honor, or make a donation in their memory to an
organization that was dear to their heart. Consider making their favorite
meal and sharing stories about them as you gather around your Christmas
table.
                         
                        Create new traditions. I always loved a big,
family-oriented holiday with noise and messiness. Because my extended
family lives far away, Nick and I needed to find a new "family" close by.
Over the years, God has sent people to fill the empty spaces in our lives
and hearts. One of my favorite new traditions is to spend an evening with
my friends where I make a big Christmas dinner. We celebrate together with
food, fellowship and all the noise and messiness I crave.
                         
                        Share Christ's comfort. I've experienced God's
promise to heal my broken heart, as today's key verse reminds us. Much of
my healing has come from the love He's sent through other people. Because
of this, I keep my eyes open for those who might be grieving or sad at the
holidays. I've found that comforting others brings me comfort.
                         
                        This year as I anticipate the Christmas season,
I'll experience a familiar combination of emotions. Sadness will tug at my
heart as I miss celebrating this special time with my husband, but I'm
excited to celebrate what only Christ can do - heal my broken heart. The
comfort He brings is one of the many reasons to celebrate His birth this
Christmas season.
                         

                          Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithful presence
and comfort during my sadness. I pray that especially during this Christmas
season my eyes will be open to others who are hurting. Please help me to
love them for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
                           

                        Application Steps:
                        Ask God to show you someone who needs comforting
this Christmas and pray about ways to share His love in a tangible way.
Their grief, as well as yours, will be softened.
                         
                        Reflections:
                        What new tradition can I create in recognition of
this new season of life?
                        What traditions do I want to keep in honor of my
loved one?
                        In my sadness, have I run away from God or to
Him? How can I keep turning to Him?
                         
                        Power Verses:
                        Jeremiah 31:13, ".I will turn their mourning into
gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." (NIV)
                        2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, "Praise be to the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of
all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (NIV)
                         
                        © 2011 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
                        Proverbs 31 Ministries
                        616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
                        Matthews, NC 28105
                        www.Proverbs31.org

                        Proverbs 31 Ministries
                        616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105
                        877-P31-HOME (877-731-4663)