Fifty-six days…

It’s here.  The Christmas season is in full swing.  We decorate, shop, wrap, bake, and repeat, until we find ourselves completely exhausted.  However, for me it is usually the best kind of exhaustion.  I enjoy each moment of it.  Well, I do now…

I remember living through several Christmases with overwhelming sorrow.  Don’t get me wrong, I was always thankful for my husband and son.  I love them very much.  But, as each new holiday rolled around, I would fixate myself on the fact that I hadn’t yet had another baby.  I would grieve for those babies I lost and daydream about the following year and the possibility of my nightmare ending.  Every single year was more of the same…

Holidays have a way of rekindling memories of those we loved who have gone before us.  We look back on years we spent with them and grieve the inescapable ending.  Life is fleeting.  It’s a bittersweet time for many of us missing people who were dear to us.  But what about those of us who are stuck grieving an ending or unanswered prayer to a situation, and bitter is unaccompanied by sweet?

I’ve had resolve to my situation, but I will never completely stop feeling the loss of the six children who went before me or, of course, those other loved ones I cherished who are no longer with me.

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  (N.K.J.V.)

Christ wants us to focus on Him throughout our grief.  He is our hope.  It is tempting to take our eyes off Him and try to solve our own troubles.  However, when we make Him our center, He will carry us.  Though you may feel alone, you are not.  During this holiday season, regardless of your situation, I implore you to lean on Jesus.  Allow His compassion to comfort your soul.   Celebrate this season with new hope.  Many years ago, while riding in a car with my mother-in-law, we were listening to the radio and heard a woman say, “You are blessed, and there are good things ahead for you.”  After that, we adopted the saying.  It’s one full of hope and promise.

If you are reading this, all the while pressing into Christ yet still struggling with a situation that is breaking your heart, let me say, “You are blessed, and there are good things ahead for you!” And, better yet, I can back it up with scripture!

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  (N.K.J.V.)