Quick Reads to Find Peace Through Grief This Season
In Christmas past I’ve mentioned how this season can be void of merry for those struggling with grief. When you lose a loved one, this time of year only makes you more aware of their absence, especially the first Christmas without them. This year has unfortunately been another year of loss. In March we lost my Uncle Arden, my mother’s beloved big brother and hero. One of my best friends lost her own mother in the spring as well and my heart broke for her knowing the huge hole left in her heart. And recently my Great Uncle Ross. This man was larger than life and one big drink of water but carried a Christian heart, a gentle soul, and loved his family more than words. I knew him growing up as my Papaw’s best friend and a secondary Pa. And after my grandfather passed it was like still having a piece of him around. The two men in my life were faithful men and while they are dearly missed they both knew where they were going. With them we also lost my Great Aunt Kay, and an old dear friend experienced loss in a way no one ever should where grief is accompanied by so many other difficult emotions that you hope you never have to know.
There are also some out there who are grieving those whom we never got the chance to meet. This kind of grief can be overlooked and is painful in ways that are silent and isolating. You could also be grieving someone who is physically here, but is so lost in addiction you don’t know when you’ll ever get to truly see them again. So I want to share some of the things that bring me comfort and peace during this season of grief, whether it’s the first Christmas, or just another Christmas where you feel like you’ve been here before but everyone else is moving on.
Reading scripture, poetry, or quotes brings me the clarity I need in sadness or times of waiting. Here is a poem that was gifted to me when I lost my mom, and a quote that was recently shared with me that spoke directly to my still grieving heart this year. The poem sits in a beautiful silver frame which is purposefully placed every year so that I read it often and remember where my mom is. You can change the noun to fit yourself or whoever you have on your heart to gift this to. Copy/paste (and grab a tissue!) then print and frame. I copied to Canva recently and created jpg and pdf versions to send to my family who was experiencing their first Christmas. I love Canva and there are so many tools to create beautiful graphics and fonts.
My First Christmas In Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights like Heaven's stars, reflecting in the snow
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing
I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your heart
But i am not so far away. We really aren't apart
So be happy for me dear [daughter]. You know I hold you dear
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year
I send you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above
I send you each a memory of my undying love
After all "love" is the gift, more precious than gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told
Please love and keep each other, as my father said to do
For I can't count the blessings or love he has for each of you
So have a merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year!
-Unknown
Here is a quote just shared with me today. I couldn’t love it more and hope that you find comfort and validation in it too.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
