When even one is missing around the table, there is an empty place. I miss the people in the long-reaching stories. This year I felt more poignantly the sounds of Christmas past. Praying for fullness in 2025, even when the table isn't as full and family cannot always come to sit around it.
Hey Linda, Just popping back over to let you know I will be featuring your post at my Sweet Tea & Friend's January link up which I will be opening early later this evening.
Thank you, Linda, for acknowledging that many of us face a less-than-Hallmark holiday season this year. I just rewatched The Chosen: Holy Night after having my fill of popular holiday flicks. Truly a gift to visualize the birth of Christ and all the happenings surrounding it. Focusing on what I don't have is always trumped by all the blessings right in front of me. A warm home, food, a lovely Christmas tree, beautifully crafted music, fresh air and scrumptious food to eat. Thanks be to God.
Your list of those blessings right in front of you make me smile with gratitude, Ellen - 'A warm home, food, a lovely Christmas tree, beautifully crafted music, fresh air and scrumptious food.'
I LOVE this, Linda. It gives so much hope and encouragement during this time of year which can be difficult for many. I have included a link to this along with a couple of quotes in the post I just published. Thank you so much for blessing us with your compassion and empathy. Love and hugs and blessings for a truly hope-filled and wonder-filled Christmas!
Trudy, thank you so much for sharing this with your friends and followers. You are an encourager to so many of us and I thank God that He brought us together all those years ago.
May this coming week bring you the sweetest peace and the most bountiful joy. Bless you, girl.
The holidays are certainly bittersweet. The bitter (the hurt, the regret, the longing for past joy) but, oh so, sweet. The Lord is really help me focus on the sweet this season. I am so grateful for His grace - especially in the holiday season. Praying an extra dose of sweet for you and yours as well!! Merry Christmas!
Jennifer, oh your words are water for the thirsty soul right about now. That God's grace truly can help us focus on what is sweet. We can't authentically drum this up on our own. Only He can turn our eyes toward what is good and lovely and excellent and praiseworthy ... right smack dab in the middle of the bitter. Thank you so much for giving us all an extra dose of sweet.
I can relate to so many things you mentioned. Through it all, I have found God faithful and ever present. He truly never does leave or forsake us, but instead He walks through the pain WITH us. God with us. Always. No matter what. Thank You, dear Emmanuel! May He richly bless you this Christmas, dear friend, and comfort you in every moment of grief.🙏❤🤗
Kim, I'm glad your loneliness has eased a bit after being here. I'm so grateful for your company as we do this Substack life together. May comfort and joy be sent to you from above this Christmas.
I needed this, so beautifully spoken. Bittersweet fits in so many ways. My girls are always on my mind and in my heart, and I miss them so. I've lamented and long to have an adult relationship with them. Though I'm not alone, my best friend welcomed me into her family many years ago and I've spent each holiday with her family. I've come to know as I age that I'm not alone even when I'm alone— because of Jesus.
Thank you so much for sharing this encouraging message with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Paula, I thought of you when I was writing this as you have been upfront about your grief with us online. You're right, the people we love don't disappear from our hearts and minds just because they've turned away. I'm moved that your dear friend and her family have become family to you. What an awesome blessing.
I pray for peace for you during this tough season. And grace. And answered prayers - maybe in ways you never dreamed of. Bless you, friend.
Linda, thank you so much for this beautiful post and for making it OK to share where we find ourselves this Christmas season. While I have family to love, food to eat and gifts to open, these get togethers pale in comparison to the meaning, love, joy and excitement we enjoyed when my parents were still living.
The huge holiday spreads, the joyous laughter and bountiful gifts we all exchanged and enjoyed with my parents now feel hollow. No matter how much I try, our celebrations are minuscule compared to those of my past. I consciously don’t allow myself to dwell on those memories because it makes me sad and puts a damper on the celebrations we have now. I sometimes feel guilty for pushing those memories away because I feel like in some way, I’m pushing my parents away, even though I know deep down that’s untrue.
I’m glad we have a Heavenly Father who is touched by the feelings of our infirmities and who never leaves us. The One who collects our tears in a bottle finds us precious in His sight and that keeps me moving forward. Maybe in the quiet just after our celebrations this year, I’ll set aside an evening and be quietly and tearfully grateful for all the years I had with my parents. I’ll embrace the memories, my parents, my former life and self (because are we ever really the same?) and I’ll rejoice even for the now bittersweet Christmases because the greatest gifts I will have ever received are eternal life and godly parents.
Thank you, Linda, for being a person who values soul connection and extends genuine kindness and compassion to your Substack community. I’m so grateful you’re here 🩵
Lisa, thank you for taking the time to sift through and process some of the losses and the memories of Christmas past. I hope it's helped clarify things for you as you've put 'pen to paper.'
Please know that there will be people who will read your story and see themselves in it and be assured that they are not the only ones who are finding this whole season to be so hard. Your experience will give them hope.
May you find pockets of joy and peace in the simple celebrations, the small blessings, and the loved ones around you. And you're right, maybe setting an evening aside to fully grieve will clear the air for you. It often helps to write a letter that's never mailed where we pour out all our hurt and pain as well as all the joyful memories and then release it to the One who loves us most.
Praying for you this evening and thanking you again for your tender honesty and candor.
You're so right, it's hard to remember that there's other people around when our bodies are wracked with pain and suffering. I honor those who walk alongside you in this hard season. There's no doubt that you are impacting them, and all of your online fans, as well.
You brought to mind three particular Christmases in new churches, after my pastor-husband had been reassigned. We missed the special joy of celebrating with the "family" we'd come to love at the previous church, a delight which hadn't had time yet to develop at the new church. Praise God he understood if our joy registered a "5" on a scale of 1-10. By the next Christmas we'd feel much more a part of our new community of believers. God often works like that--over time. We need to be gracious to ourselves and accept it's okay if emotions are not healed overnight. Another praise: he is always with us through the heartache, ministering compassion.
Oh I love those sheep, too, Jamie ... part of a life-size Christmas manger scene at a local church. And is that guy on the right grinning at us or what?
When even one is missing around the table, there is an empty place. I miss the people in the long-reaching stories. This year I felt more poignantly the sounds of Christmas past. Praying for fullness in 2025, even when the table isn't as full and family cannot always come to sit around it.
Hey Linda, Just popping back over to let you know I will be featuring your post at my Sweet Tea & Friend's January link up which I will be opening early later this evening.
{{Hugs}}
Oh Paula, thank you! That means so much to me. And how fun that you're opening the doors a day or two early. Cool!
I agree that it's important to recognize that the holidays aren't always joyful and can be a difficult time for others.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Sending His comfort and joy to you, friend ...
Thank you, Linda, for acknowledging that many of us face a less-than-Hallmark holiday season this year. I just rewatched The Chosen: Holy Night after having my fill of popular holiday flicks. Truly a gift to visualize the birth of Christ and all the happenings surrounding it. Focusing on what I don't have is always trumped by all the blessings right in front of me. A warm home, food, a lovely Christmas tree, beautifully crafted music, fresh air and scrumptious food to eat. Thanks be to God.
Your list of those blessings right in front of you make me smile with gratitude, Ellen - 'A warm home, food, a lovely Christmas tree, beautifully crafted music, fresh air and scrumptious food.'
Thanks be to God indeed!
I LOVE this, Linda. It gives so much hope and encouragement during this time of year which can be difficult for many. I have included a link to this along with a couple of quotes in the post I just published. Thank you so much for blessing us with your compassion and empathy. Love and hugs and blessings for a truly hope-filled and wonder-filled Christmas!
Trudy, thank you so much for sharing this with your friends and followers. You are an encourager to so many of us and I thank God that He brought us together all those years ago.
May this coming week bring you the sweetest peace and the most bountiful joy. Bless you, girl.
https://freedtofly.me/2024/12/20/wishing-you-gods-gift-of-love-and-hope-this-christmas-and-always/
The holidays are certainly bittersweet. The bitter (the hurt, the regret, the longing for past joy) but, oh so, sweet. The Lord is really help me focus on the sweet this season. I am so grateful for His grace - especially in the holiday season. Praying an extra dose of sweet for you and yours as well!! Merry Christmas!
Jennifer, oh your words are water for the thirsty soul right about now. That God's grace truly can help us focus on what is sweet. We can't authentically drum this up on our own. Only He can turn our eyes toward what is good and lovely and excellent and praiseworthy ... right smack dab in the middle of the bitter. Thank you so much for giving us all an extra dose of sweet.
I'm thanking God for you this morning, friend.
I can relate to so many things you mentioned. Through it all, I have found God faithful and ever present. He truly never does leave or forsake us, but instead He walks through the pain WITH us. God with us. Always. No matter what. Thank You, dear Emmanuel! May He richly bless you this Christmas, dear friend, and comfort you in every moment of grief.🙏❤🤗
Amen, girl! God is with us always, no matter what. He is our peace.
Enjoy your sweet, quiet Christmas, friend.
Yes, this time of the year really does highlight any family issues Linda.
May you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Blessings, Jennifer
Jennifer, thanks. You, too!
Linda, as always I love reading your words. I do feel less alone after reading this. Thank you. 🎄
Kim, I'm glad your loneliness has eased a bit after being here. I'm so grateful for your company as we do this Substack life together. May comfort and joy be sent to you from above this Christmas.
I needed this, so beautifully spoken. Bittersweet fits in so many ways. My girls are always on my mind and in my heart, and I miss them so. I've lamented and long to have an adult relationship with them. Though I'm not alone, my best friend welcomed me into her family many years ago and I've spent each holiday with her family. I've come to know as I age that I'm not alone even when I'm alone— because of Jesus.
Thank you so much for sharing this encouraging message with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Paula, I thought of you when I was writing this as you have been upfront about your grief with us online. You're right, the people we love don't disappear from our hearts and minds just because they've turned away. I'm moved that your dear friend and her family have become family to you. What an awesome blessing.
I pray for peace for you during this tough season. And grace. And answered prayers - maybe in ways you never dreamed of. Bless you, friend.
Beautifully said, Linda, and so tmely. Merriest, my friend.
Jeanie, have a truly lovely Christmas.
What a thoughtful post. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Oh Debbie, thank you. A sweet Christmas to you, too.
Linda, thank you so much for this beautiful post and for making it OK to share where we find ourselves this Christmas season. While I have family to love, food to eat and gifts to open, these get togethers pale in comparison to the meaning, love, joy and excitement we enjoyed when my parents were still living.
The huge holiday spreads, the joyous laughter and bountiful gifts we all exchanged and enjoyed with my parents now feel hollow. No matter how much I try, our celebrations are minuscule compared to those of my past. I consciously don’t allow myself to dwell on those memories because it makes me sad and puts a damper on the celebrations we have now. I sometimes feel guilty for pushing those memories away because I feel like in some way, I’m pushing my parents away, even though I know deep down that’s untrue.
I’m glad we have a Heavenly Father who is touched by the feelings of our infirmities and who never leaves us. The One who collects our tears in a bottle finds us precious in His sight and that keeps me moving forward. Maybe in the quiet just after our celebrations this year, I’ll set aside an evening and be quietly and tearfully grateful for all the years I had with my parents. I’ll embrace the memories, my parents, my former life and self (because are we ever really the same?) and I’ll rejoice even for the now bittersweet Christmases because the greatest gifts I will have ever received are eternal life and godly parents.
Thank you, Linda, for being a person who values soul connection and extends genuine kindness and compassion to your Substack community. I’m so grateful you’re here 🩵
Lisa, thank you for taking the time to sift through and process some of the losses and the memories of Christmas past. I hope it's helped clarify things for you as you've put 'pen to paper.'
Please know that there will be people who will read your story and see themselves in it and be assured that they are not the only ones who are finding this whole season to be so hard. Your experience will give them hope.
May you find pockets of joy and peace in the simple celebrations, the small blessings, and the loved ones around you. And you're right, maybe setting an evening aside to fully grieve will clear the air for you. It often helps to write a letter that's never mailed where we pour out all our hurt and pain as well as all the joyful memories and then release it to the One who loves us most.
Praying for you this evening and thanking you again for your tender honesty and candor.
The are no pictures on the wall;
only memories remain
of those mates who gave their all
and never returned home again,
and outside carolers sing
and I find it hard to swallow,
because in truth it starts to ring
kind of flat and kind of hollow,
but I can't just live for me,
for there are others in my life,
friends and neighbours, family,
and most of all my dear sweet wife
who tries so hard to understand
a season that's a grey wasteland.
You're so right, it's hard to remember that there's other people around when our bodies are wracked with pain and suffering. I honor those who walk alongside you in this hard season. There's no doubt that you are impacting them, and all of your online fans, as well.
You brought to mind three particular Christmases in new churches, after my pastor-husband had been reassigned. We missed the special joy of celebrating with the "family" we'd come to love at the previous church, a delight which hadn't had time yet to develop at the new church. Praise God he understood if our joy registered a "5" on a scale of 1-10. By the next Christmas we'd feel much more a part of our new community of believers. God often works like that--over time. We need to be gracious to ourselves and accept it's okay if emotions are not healed overnight. Another praise: he is always with us through the heartache, ministering compassion.
* 'We need to be gracious to ourselves and accept it's okay if emotions are not healed overnight.'
No truer words have been spoken, Nancy. Except ... may God continue to bless you richly during this tender Advent season.
Thank you, Linda! I pray the same for you and your family.
Thank you. I love the sheep picture too! Sending Christmas hugs and blessings from afar.
Oh I love those sheep, too, Jamie ... part of a life-size Christmas manger scene at a local church. And is that guy on the right grinning at us or what?