Grief Bites: Hope for the HolidaysSample

Ahh, the holidays! A time where the colorful Fall leaves remind us that Thanksgiving is on it's way and the anticipation of Christmas is right around the corner. A time where everyone is filled with thankfulness, love, family harmony, and joy, right? Unfortunately, this isn't the case for everyone—especially those who have lost a loved one, those who are going through the loss of a major relationship or experiencing family conflict, or those who are experiencing great loss or heartache. Growing up, I always loved holidays and greatly looked forward to them. When my 22 year-old sister died on Thanksgiving Day, instead of the holidays being the most wonderful time of the year, the holidays became a dreaded and most challenging time of year. How do you find hope during the holiday season? How can you honor treasured loved ones who are now celebrating the holidays in Heaven with God? Is joy possible during the holiday season...especially in the midst of intense grief? How can you create meaningful holidays that are filled with peace, regardless of what's happening in life? Please join me the next few days as I answer these questions and more. "Heavenly Father, I pray for all who are hurting around the holidays—especially this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Please heal and deeply comfort their hurting hearts. Please shower them with Your grace and mercy each and every day. Hold them in Your loving arms and carry them through their grief experience. In Jesus Name, amen!" This devotional © 2015 by Kim Niles/Grief Bites. All rights reserved. Used by permission.