2008-12-09 - A Christmas Prayer

For Those Who Have Suffered the Recent Death of a Loved One

God of compassion, there is such a hole in my heart! Today should be a day of joy, but I feel only emptiness and loss. While the world celebrates around me, I remember Christmas celebrations of the past, and I long to have my loved one with me. I bring my sorrows to you, Lord, like some odd gift of the magi - and dump them at your feet. In my blind tears I wonder if anyone can possibly understand the depth of my sadness.

I know, you can. You sent your son to be with us in our deepest Sorrows, and I know that even though I might not feel it now, you are here with me, grieving with me, caring for me in my sadness.

Dearest lord, help me to turn to the one I miss so much today and speak. Help me heal the loss of our parting, and help me not to regret the things I didn't say. Sorrow tears at my heart, but today I ask that my loss soften my heart and make me more compassionate with everyone I meet, so that my loss may become a gift to others.

Amen

Author Unknown

I (Jan) will be out of town when you read this, on the first vacation we have had in over a year – a difficult year in which we lost my mother, my husband's grandmother, and his Great Aunt. So we understand what it's like to have empty seats during the holiday seasons. We are healing normally, and grateful for all our blessings, but because I thought this poem could speak to many hearts, I want to share it. I received it in e-mail from the Cup `O Cheer Newsletter. Normally our policy at CF Devotionals is to publish work that is original, written by our own staff, but I feel that this should be shared with as many people as possible. If you identify at all with the feelings in this prayer, our prayer for you is that it will be a blessing to you – and that you will find comfort in your faith, your friends and family when you need a listening ear, and a God-provided counselor if/when you need it. And if you would like to share any thoughts with me about how this affected you, I would love to hear about it.

Jan

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