Are you alone this Christmas? Are you sick and can’t be with family? Are you unable to go home for Christmas? Or have you recently lost a loved one or relationship and Christmas isn’t the same?
I often post on social media photos with family and all the festivities but this year I understand the loneliness some people have to face this time of the year. For the first time in 33 years, I find myself there. Actually, I went back by myself to Dallas in order to pack and move my stuff back to LA as well as say goodbye to friends. Originally, I was going to spend Christmas with my friends since my parents will be flying into Dallas the day after Christmas to help me drive my car back. However, my friends caught a cold and we had to cancel plans. I was planning to spend Christmas alone with the Lord but just now my friend (Jessica) texted me and invited me to spend Christmas evening with her brother and her. This is an answer to my parent’s prayers as they were worried about me being lonely today. I’m so thankful as I just found out as I am writing this blog post. Half of Christmas day may be gone but God still remembers me and He is so good.
Waters Creek, Dallas 2021
For Those Who Are Lonely…
If you are sick or can’t return home for Christmas, you aren’t alone for God is with you. A couple years ago when I was without a job for 9 months, I was greatly encouraged reading Acts because God was with Paul when he was alone in prison.
The following night the Lord stood by him (Paul) and said. “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” – Acts 23:11.
I think there is something to be said about the Lord standing by Paul when he was alone in prison at night. If I am honest, most of the time I feel alone, it is at night. For God to encourage Paul, Paul must have been feeling discouraged. Moreover, instead of hovering over the waters like in Genesis, the Lord “stood” by him. Sometimes we think God just stares at us from afar when we feel alone and forgotten. But no, God stood close to Paul when he needed Him and He can stand by you and me too.
Other verses that come to mind are Deuteronomy 31:8 and Isaiah 41:10.
Hope For Those Who Grieve…
These past few months have been very difficult for me to say the least, I lost a relationship with someone I truly cared about, a grandfather who wasn’t a believer, and an Uncle to who I didn’t get to say goodbye…Maybe Christmas will never be the same. That is when I am forced to look from a heavenly perspective.
“He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21: 3-4
There are many great verses that help us look forward to heaven but this is one of my favorites. “With them” is repeated twice for emphasis on being in God’s presence. Most of us have cried at least once in our lives and others of us are tired of crying. How wonderful it would be if there were no more crying, pain, or death. We won’t have to be afraid of parting with our loved ones in Christ or facing heartbreaks in heaven.
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalms 34:18
I’m so sorry if you are struggling through a loss and I am praying for you. I am in a similar boat. God loves you, is with you, and will comfort you. I try to trust that He is with me and comforting me as well.
Walking Not By Sight 