As the holidays approach, a time when families should be happy, there are a lot of you who are anything but. The majority of you are stressed, overworked, underappreciated, depressed, suicidal and on the verge of throwing in the towel. Some of you are grieving and have been for so long that you don’t even know how else to be. Some of you are still trying to figure out how you ended up here, again. You’re looking for a way out yet you’re fearful of trying the way maker. You’re trying to make ends meet and they aren’t even close. And still thinking of a way to tell the children they can’t get what they want this year either. Contemplating check advances and title loans when you’re already in over your head. And for what? To cut thanksgiving dinner short to stand in a line to buy something your children probably won’t appreciate and you don’t need. Yes, this may be the first or tenth holiday without your loved one but in the midst of grieving, don’t forget to live.
Listen, I don’t know what you’re dealing with ma’am. I don’t know what you’re toiling with sir. I don’t know what you’re fighting about or why you’re crying. I don’t know what’s causing your sleepless nights or your dark days. However, I do know that better days are possible. I don’t have to quote scriptures because you can probably recite them all but when will you start believing in them. I don’t have to tell you that God is right there, you know this but when will you start to trust Him? Yes, I get it because I, too, used to dread the holidays. It seemed like every black Friday I would be temporarily out of funds while trying to scrape together enough money to get the children something but I’ve lived long enough now to realize, just waking up is enough for me and if I put my hands in God’s hands, He’ll blow my mind. And get this, I don’t need the details, I simply need the blessing. So to you, whomever you are, who are in the dark place of life right now, I need you to know this … “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” —Romans 15:13
Lakisha, the Author 