I know there are people who struggle to have joy especially during the holidays when they are missing loved ones. That void can overwhelm you with sadness and can make you feel powerless. I usually post something positive with respect to this each year because it is a real challenge for a lot of people. This year I feel real impressed to do something more.
Best Friends
This is a picture of my baby sister Andrea and me when we were kids. I love this because it captures the essence of our relationship. I had never seen it until we were preparing for her home going service in 2012. We were sixteen months apart and lifelong best friends. When our parents divorced she and I lived with our mom, and our oldest sister Cheryl lived with our dad.
From our adolescent years through our early thirties we did life, marriages, babies, church, and friendships together. When she passed, there are whole entire chapters of my life that went with her. There are times I have a memory that only she or my mom would know what I am talking about and neither are there to call. She left behind three beautiful children that would love to still have her here. Those are some of the sad things that are real that can try to steal the joy of her memory. Those can’t be the focus.
Remembering Our Loved Ones
I would like to share about the people that I love who are no longer here. I know that God can help us to find our joy even in grief. We can find it when we remember them. As we recall the things about them that were wonderful, and who they were in our lives we get to choose joy. You can still be mourning the loss and have the joy and peace of God.
Andrea Mason, My Baby Sister
She was beautiful inside and out. She had naturally curly hair that was definitely envy worthy. She was artistic, and loved to dance. She was a praise dancer. Andrea was kind, generous and LOVED LOVED LOVED her kids. She was an amazing cook, and destroyed the entire kitchen in the process. Andrea was a vibrant light in the world.
Pastor Billie Cota-Smith, My Mother
She was one of the toughest ladies I know, but also had the kindest soul in the world. She was a handi-woman, and could fix everything. I never went shopping or got my nails done with her, but I went on countless trips to hardware stores. She taught us how to be hospitable on any budget. She loved God, and His people. She was a great teacher and had a calling of service on her life. She loved her family, especially her grandkids. She was a God chaser.
Finding Joy in Grief during the Holidays
We can find our joy by remembering those who we have lost and what they meant to us when they were here. We are not powerless. I pray that you don’t allow that grief to rob you of the joy of the holidays or even of life. You can create traditions to honor their memory.
- Cook their favorite meal/dessert.
- Display their pictures or artifacts that remind you of them.
- Share what they meant to you with someone else.
- Tell their stories and what made them so special.
Jesus is the joy of our lives. He can fill that void with His love and peace.
♥Liz