After Christmas… a love letter from the Father
Dear precious daughter –
Gifts have been unwrapped & meals shared. Christmas cards sent and received.
Miles have been driven, toys assembled, and leftovers boxed up.
In the quietness of ‘after’ Christmas, come and sit with me, won’t you?
I know it has been a busy time- do you know I’ve been right there beside you all the way?
I saw you there, standing in the middle of Wal-mart, surrounded by shoppers heading home with their treasures ; feeling like you couldn’t breathe because of the ache in your heart.
I felt you blinking back tears as you encountered one more couple in the aisles bantering playfully over what to buy their little ones.
I saw you struggle with a photo for your Christmas card. How could you possibly take a ‘family’ picture when your family feels incomplete?
I was there in the car when ‘I’ll be Home for Christmas’ came on for the hundredth time. Sigh.
I saw you at the holiday party, standing with a cluster of couples and laughing along with their stories; and aching to look across the room and meet his eye one more time.
I was there in church when they played ‘O Holy Night’ and know that you are part of the ‘weary world’ that rejoices in anticipation of My coming.
I cheered for you as you chose the high road with well-meaning relatives whose unthinking comments seared your very soul.
I was there when you stayed up late wrapping gifts alone and wondered if you had done ‘enough’.
I treasure your tears…
I understand the ache of loss. I have been there.
I love you. I love you. I LOVE YOU.
I am so proud of you.
The path I have called you to walk is not an easy one, certainly not a pleasant one, but we are walking together you and I.
Know that in every facet of your life I am carving out something beautiful. And that just as a diamond reflects light after the skilled hand of the master shapes it just so, I am reflected through you.
“…you shine like stars in the universe as you hold the word of life to the world…boasting only in Him” Phil. 2:14b
Stay close as we walk together into this New Year. I have such plans for you!
Shine on, beautiful one ….Your heavenly Father 
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful, and just what I needed to read right this minute. Thank you.
I am not a widow but have two very very dear friends that are very young beautiful widows. This is so beautiful. One of my widow friends shared it on facebook. I am about to send it to the other one. Thank you whoever chose to publish this for them.
This was absolutely beautiful. Although I am not a widow, I could feel all the emotion and pain and it brought me to tears. Hugs and love to all of you who have lost their best friend.
Precious friends- So glad you were blessed by these simple words. As I sat with my coffee that morning, it was as if the words were flowing from His heart to my pen. I, too, needed to hear them
I love that He knows what we need before we need it. Hugs, hope and healing – Danita
How precious! He love us so much.
Thank YOU Jesus. I needed this soooooooooooooooooooo much!
I’m not a widow. I am however 50 and never married. I guess you could say I grieve for something I never had. My greatest desire has always been to be married with tons of kids. When I was younger I went about finding love all wrong. Ended up pregnant and my daughters father took off, (actually that was the best thing that could have happened.) She is now married to a wonderful young man.
I have never heard the words “I love you” from a man, never had a man look at me like, well I don’t know, never had it happen.
I found my way back to Jesus early last year. He’s been healing my heart. We have a lot of conversations about this. I fully believe He has someone for me, in His time. And who knows, he may have tons of kids.
I am so glad He lead me to your blog tonight, after a pretty good cry, my heart feels a little lighter.
God Bless you
Caryn
I haven’t been on your site since last spring, and I think the Lord reminded me of it so I could read this just now. I needed this. Thank you.