I don't have many followers who admit it by signing up as one. Every now and then though, someone tells me that they enjoy reading my blog now and then and it surprises me. Yes I look at the metrics and it lets me know I have readers, and am humbled that it is more than just a few, and yes I read several blogs not as officially, committed follower.
One is from a past student of mine, bright, lovely and fun loving. Kristin is one of those endearing movers and shakers whose life reflects the beauty of God, His kingdom and life; She, like all of the lives that entered my classroom destined to make a difference with theirs (at least that is my prayer for every student I had privilege to teach). I followed as this lovely young lady fell in love and lost her love as Wesley succumbed to cancer. This event was heartbreaking, yet her life and writing poured out hope.
Her most recent blog addressed this season in a way I was blessed not to experience or think of until a decade ago at age 46, she being now in her early twenties. Indeed there is a lot of great, wonderful traditions enjoyed by most of us this time of year. The season of Thanksgiving and Christmas flood all of our senses transforming us into festive outlook, especially for the young and even the rest of us in the midst of loss.
As we age, we become increasingly aware of so much more. Much more struggle, much more need, the realities of life continuing through the festive season. The immediacy of loss overwhelms the joys, potentially leaving us to wonder how anyone can celebrate at all, asking questions like,
"Don't they know that I lost......? How can they just go on laughing and ignoring my pain?"..and in reality, they aren't ignoring it, probably. Our eyes get opened to the fact that others have experienced loss too, finding time to have joy, joy in the season tempered by the realities of loss and struggle. Kristin calls it "The Holiday Sting".
No matter what your experience this holiday season, when life comes crashing in, it is my prayer that we all have the great hope of Jesus and the eternity awaiting we who serve as children of our King. The joy of rest from all this pain certainly brings me hope as I face the first Christmas without my dad. The truth is that the daily stuff of life comes every day.
Things don't stop or pause just because it is the holiday season. It is good, when the pain of life overwhelms us, to sit and have a good cry (yes men, real men, like Jesus, can be moved to tears). If you have a friend or colleague that crumbles before you, will you just sit with them and release your fear? You don't have to say a word. And if you are a follower of God, just silently pray for them. It will pass. If the loss was recent, it may take a while to do so. Great friends will be willing to wait, letting the weight of hurt touch our compassion. Just like waves, grief will often come and go. The best gift we can give to one in grief is to let it happen and just be there with them, for them as long as they require.
While I don't really care if you are official follower of this blog, if you are official follower of Jesus, I know our family would appreciate your prayers as we enter this holiday season without my dad. I have and will continue praying for Kristin (and Wes' family), blessed to know such a terrific young lady. This season will be filled with thanksgiving and celebration, but it will also hold unknown events as we grieve the absence of "A Great Character with Great Character" (words on dad's capstone).
May you find this holiday season rich with honor and blessing. May the peace of God reside in your hearts and family as you gather together.
You can find Kristin's sweet blog about the season here:
http://hellokristinmarie.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-holiday-sting.html
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