What makes you cry?

For this lady, she is crying over the loss of her lifelong mate. She is missing the man she was married to over 38 years. She sits reminiscing of their early days when they would meet to picnic in the park. A simple time before children filled their house with laughter and chaos. The room is still, the children are grown up and gone with lives of their own. The eerie silence fills the room, will she ever feel like laughing again? she wonders. As tears run down her face, she regretfully recalls the last years together. The things she allowed to get under her skin where frustration began bitterness ended, his snoring and trashing in bed would keep her awake. His mood changes and angry outburst which rattled the house as the illness progressed. The arguments over the children’s painful choices. He had changed, she had changed, they had changed. She only thought she was lonely before, now the ache and longing to have him back overwhelms her, even to hear him snore, to have another argument. Tomorrow is the first Thanksgiving without him, this is the season of first. She did not understand the impact of crushing emotions, she was told she was in depression. Ha, she thought, that word does not fit the weight of her thoughts, the palpable physical manifestations of emotional pain and suffering. She has never known such before. For this lady, she cries for the loss of what has been and is no more.

I was reminded of the memories and heartache this season brings. The tv commercials, shows, social media all focus on the joy of the season, the celebration of it all. Hardship and hurt, loss and loneliness are at an all-time high during the holidays. This is a time for family gatherings, and for focusing on the reason for the season, the birth of our savior and Lord Jesus. He came into a dark and hurting world, he came for the lost, the sick, the lonely, the barren both physically and spiritually. He came to heal us from all the evil that has waged against us. He alone is the victor, by his blood he defeated sin and death. Our hope is in Him, the maker of all things, the Alpha and Omega. He is our reason for celebration.

In Isaiah 61:1 Jesus was foretold; his mission was declared:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

Isaiah goes on to state in verse 3:

— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

We who are his followers, image bearers, Christ lives in us. Our mission is the same, we are to be light in darkness, comfort those who mourn, to war in prayer where we cannot tread, and believe that the most high will do as he has said. Let us trust in His faithfulness today.

Please join me in this prayer for those who are distraught, depressed, lonely or lost, sick and ailing, have no rest, peace, or a home this season.

Father God, Lord Almighty, have mercy and compassion on those in our families and communities that are suffering all manner of trials. Let them hear of your promises, envelope them with love and lose the bonds of despair. Shine your light of hope in their darkness. Surround them with loved ones or even strangers to shower them with love. Let them feel your presence each day, draw them close Lord and do only what you can do through the power of your Holy Spirit.

Let us continue to stand in the gap for these as we bring their names to you of those we know and lift up those we don’t. Lord, give us eyes to see the needs of others and a heart of love to seek them out. Use us as your vessels. Let us all lay down our grievances with others, to repent of our unrighteousness and missteps. Focus our eyes on you to be faithful to your will as stated in Micah 6:8-10 – “The Lord has told you what is good, to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God.”

Let this be the beat of our heart this season, let us first focus to serve others. Father grant us a foot washing mentality as Jesus showed the disciples in the upper room. Lord in all circumstances and situations, not our will but yours be done. In the mighty and powerful name of Jesus of Nazareth, Amen.