Holidays: Day 3

May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Psalm 126:5 NRSV

Thought

If this is the first holiday season without your loved one, you may be engulfed by a tidal wave of emotion. When you grieve at the holidays, your heart is particularly attuned to the sadness of loss and pain. If you are tearful or depressed, your heartfelt tears may cue your family members to express their emotions as well. Worry about crying is a hardship of grief compounded by the holidays. When you release your tears, you experience physical and emotional relief, a welcome catharsis to your grief.

Prayer

God, it is difficult to imagine that one day the tears of grief for my loved one will turn to joy. I pray for the reassurance of your presence at this emotional time of the year. Amen.

Assurance

I resolve to guard my heart because the holidays are the most stressful time of the year.