The holidays are approaching quickly. Holidays are happy times, memories, and gatherings for friends and families. Holidays are also hard times and heavy hearts for many, especially those who have loss loved ones. Usually when one loses a loved one the initial pain is not easily described but it is a pain that lingers day after day, month after month, year after year, and during holidays it may get worse. There is no set time or day when this pain goes away. Does it ever go away? For myself, initially it is a roller coaster ride, then it eventually changes but never goes away. As it changes it allows me to take a step at a time, a day at a time, a month at a time, a year at a time, and a holiday at a time. It allows me to hold tight to the memories of my loved ones in my heart, body, mind, and soul. I am writing this post to all who may experience heavy hearts during the holidays. I am forever keeping my family and friends in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.There are many experiencing heavy hearts, knowing the holidays are approaching and loved ones will not be with us physically and celebrating the holidays. Healing of the hearts occur as we cry, continue to celebrate with family and friends, bring flowers to burial sites, hang an ornament on the tree to represent our loved ones, place a setting at the table, talk and laugh about something our loved ones always said or did, etc… Remember no one can ever take our precious and priceless memories away from us.
For me each holiday is different, some I can celebrate with family and friends and others are extremely hard. I never know which will be hard or which I can celebrate. There are a few persons who say, “What’s wrong with you? It’s been years and you have not gotten over that yet?, etc…”. They do not know my pain and it is nothing they can do or say to make it stop hurting. or make me feel the way they think I should feel. I thank them for trying but I also want them to respect my feelings, pray for me and be there when I am ready to talk and/or make a move.
I know throughout each loss and throughout my life’s journey, I’ve developed a closer relationship with God. I am grateful, appreciative, and thankful for all He does… using me, molding me, guiding me, protecting me, and loving me. I depend on Him to help me all day and everyday. He never lets me down and is always on time. It is through Him I found my talents, strengths, weaknesses, purpose, and passion in life. My purpose in life is to help others…inspire, motivate, encourage, and give words of wisdom to others as they encounter difficult and challenging times in life. People are my strength and weakness in various situations and circumstances. I have a big heart and I love, genuinely care, respectful, listen, laugh, give hugs, offer my shoulders, understand and try to relate. My passion is teaching and learning. My talents are arts and crafts. With all that being said…my relationship with others relieves some of my pain experienced due to loss of loved ones. I try to keep busy, live, and enjoy life with family and friends that are with me physically, not ever losing hope to see my loved ones again and always remembering those precious and priceless memories in my heart, mind, body, and soul. I pray that you find hope and enjoy the holidays soon!
Revelation 21:4
and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
Psalm 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Revelation 21:4
“He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
Psalm 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.
Psalm 31 NKJV
23Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. 24Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 119:48-50 NIV
I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Jeremiah 29 NKJV
11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV
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 have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
I PRAY FOR HOPE & PEACE DURING THE HOLIDAYS FOR ALL WITH HEAVY HEARTS