| Grieving Through The Holidays |
I have been thinking lately about my attitude regarding "the holidays". This has
been a very difficult year and I have been dreading facing "the holidays" without a
special loved one. I have come to realize that it is time for an attitude adjustment.
I want to celebrate the life and legacy of my brother. I want to rejoice in the fact that I
had 37 years with him and that we had a good relationship. Most of all, I want to be
thankful that I can look forward to an eternity in heaven with him because of the gift
of eternal life that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provided for us.
That doesn't mean I'm finished with my tears. And it doesn't mean that my heart
doesn't ache with intense longing for the time my brother didn't have on this earth.
What it does mean is that I can find joy in the precious gifts that God has given us ~
particularly, the gift of our children. My son and my brother's son are miracles of
God. If my brother's death is teaching me anything, it is to not take for granted or
waste any of the time that we have. He died before his son was born. He never got
the opportunity to hold him, to love him, to experience life with him. Oh, may I never
miss the opportunities the Lord gives me!
So, am I ready for "the holidays"? Yes. I'm ready to celebrate life and love ~
eternal life, eternal love through Jesus Christ our Lord. I'm ready for the joy of the
Lord to permeate every part of my being as I give over to him my hurts, my longings,
my self centeredness.
Give him all your cares, your burdens, your hurts. He wants to take your heavy load,
too. Fall on the Rock ~ the sure and steady strong tower. You can find your peace
and joy in him this holiday season.
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
~ John 1:16
been a very difficult year and I have been dreading facing "the holidays" without a
special loved one. I have come to realize that it is time for an attitude adjustment.
I want to celebrate the life and legacy of my brother. I want to rejoice in the fact that I
had 37 years with him and that we had a good relationship. Most of all, I want to be
thankful that I can look forward to an eternity in heaven with him because of the gift
of eternal life that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provided for us.
That doesn't mean I'm finished with my tears. And it doesn't mean that my heart
doesn't ache with intense longing for the time my brother didn't have on this earth.
What it does mean is that I can find joy in the precious gifts that God has given us ~
particularly, the gift of our children. My son and my brother's son are miracles of
God. If my brother's death is teaching me anything, it is to not take for granted or
waste any of the time that we have. He died before his son was born. He never got
the opportunity to hold him, to love him, to experience life with him. Oh, may I never
miss the opportunities the Lord gives me!
So, am I ready for "the holidays"? Yes. I'm ready to celebrate life and love ~
eternal life, eternal love through Jesus Christ our Lord. I'm ready for the joy of the
Lord to permeate every part of my being as I give over to him my hurts, my longings,
my self centeredness.
Give him all your cares, your burdens, your hurts. He wants to take your heavy load,
too. Fall on the Rock ~ the sure and steady strong tower. You can find your peace
and joy in him this holiday season.
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
~ John 1:16
| © 2005, Donna Johnson Posted here with author's permission. |
Donna submits this beautiful story of encouragement while grieving the loss of her
brother. He passed away unexpectedly in March from a heart attack. He and his wife
had been married just over a year and his wife had just found out she was expecting
their first child, a little boy born after his father's death. Thank you, Donna, for
sharing this heartwarming story of encouragement here at Rainbow Faith ~ Ferna
brother. He passed away unexpectedly in March from a heart attack. He and his wife
had been married just over a year and his wife had just found out she was expecting
their first child, a little boy born after his father's death. Thank you, Donna, for
sharing this heartwarming story of encouragement here at Rainbow Faith ~ Ferna
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