After waiting all year for everyone’s favorite season to roll around, Christmas is finally approaching. The whole idea of Christmas can make anyone feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, a season full of good spirits and cheer; Which is understandable- It is Christmas after all. College kids come home for a long winter break, students get two weeks off from school, families come together and celebrate the season. It is the perfect way to reflect and be thankful for all you have.

But what about those people who spend their whole holiday season mourning the loss of a loved one? What about the families of those who are no longer with us?

Suffering from a loss is one of the hardest things anyone must deal with. A piece of you will always be missing and some things will never be the same- one of those things being the holidays. I’ve always heard “The first big holidays without them are always the hardest” and I believe that wholeheartedly. A person you once spent holidays with, someone you once shopped and put presents under the tree for, are no longer there to open them. Instead of laughing and bonding and thanking God for all you have, you spend your time questioning him and trying to keep it together when everything seems to be falling apart.

How do does one adjust to life without someone you never planned on losing?

This is for the people who are hurting this holiday season. I pray that you find peace and comfort in the fact that your loved ones are in a better place, a place where there is no pain and no worries. I hope that one day you’ll be able to celebrate the season the way you once did, despite your loss. Although I know things will never be the same, and this season may cause more sorrow than joy, know that God has a plan, and better days are coming.

Romans 8:18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

To those hurting this holiday season, we're praying for you.