Praying for you…

It’s Christmas Eve – a time of being with family. We’ve purchased the gifts and wrapped them, hung the stockings, made the sweets, ate the sweets (which leads to New Year’s Resolutions) and on and on. But it’s also a time we miss our loved ones who are not with us. My mom passed away over 18 years ago and I still get emotional when I hang some of the ornaments she made. I love Christmas because of the atmosphere she created in our home, and some of my best memories have to do with Christmas.

We’ve all lost loved ones, whether recently or years ago – it still hurts. We still ask “why” because it’s just our human nature to do that. But let’s face it, when our own children ask us that question (and we don’t know the answer) we eventually say “just because” or “that’s just the way it is”. Of course today’s Millennials will more than likely answer with “Google” it.

I don’t remember when I stopped asking God “why”. I trust Him as my Heavenly Father – that He sees me and loves me and hurts with me and sees every tear. I would give anything to feel Mama’s warm embrace again and to hear a joking remark from Daddy. For now I cherish the memories and hold fast to hope…

My prayers are with you if this is your first Christmas without your loved one. It will not be easy. Cry your tears without explanation, allow memories to bring laughter to your heart, share stories of your loved one you’ve never told before. And pray for someone else who has felt the pains of loss this past year – you alone will know how and what to pray for them…