This will not be the Christmas of years past. It will be the first without my dad.
I know I am not alone. Most everyone has lost a loved one who meant the world to them. This just happens to be my first encounter with the death of someone very close to me. I feel very fortunate that this experience hasn’t happened sooner.
The impending ‘first’ Christmas has made me wonder how God wants me to remember my dad and encourage others going through similar situations.
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve dealt with a death, divorce, job loss or heart-breaking circumstance. The first year is the hardest. Christmas tops my list as most difficult because you are supposed to be JOYFUL!!!
Obviously, I am not a counselor, but here are the top five things that have helped me get through the first Christmas season, thus far.
Admit it sucks – Yes, it does. I can’t pretend that everything is okay when it’s not.
Let God lead the way – Give Him your pain, tears and brokenness. He is big enough to handle it. AND He wants to!
Give people grace – People say the dumbest things. They don’t mean to, they just do (me included).
Give yourself a break – I have had a hard year and it’s no wonder I feel blue. That is okay even if it is Christmas time.
Decide to have a good day – Sometimes I just have to make the decision to find the joy in the day. Choose joy and give a little of yourself to someone else in need.
God continues to guide me and hold my hand as I walk down this new path. This year of loss has proven to me without a doubt that God is watching out for my best interest and is in control of my life.
Even though getting through this season without my dad is hard, I am blessed by celebrating the birth of Jesus who conquered death!! There is comfort in knowing that God loved the world so much that He sent us His son to be our Savior! Jesus is preparing a room for us right now with His Father. All we have to do is choose HIM.
My dad chose Him and is now waiting for me to join him one day to worship and praise Our Heavenly Father forever! Now, that makes me joyful in the midst of the pain of my loss!!!
I hope you will find joy this Christmas season by getting to know Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, and giving your life to Him.
Christmas Tears by Meg Hays
Christmas this year is not like before
A hole’s in my heart that hurts to the core
Daddy, I miss you and wish you were here
My father, my hero, my warrior, so dear
Time keeps on going. Time just stands still
No blankets or heaters can warm up the chill
My heart lacks a luster where you used to reside
My head cannot grasp you have already died
Heavenly Father – take care of my dad
Help me move on and not be so sad
Give me the strength to live every day
Remembering Jesus – the price that He paid
Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 11:25 – A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
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