Struggling Through the Holidays, Luke 7:11-17
11 Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. 12 A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. 14 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” 15 Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.” 17 And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside. Luke 7:11-17
“I have such a hard time through the holidays with celebrations, parties, family gatherings since … passed away,” I have heard this more times than I can count. It’s understandable; your world has changed, memories flood back, even the positive memories, it just brings up the emptiness or the loneliness we experience.
The widow’s hope was shattered, not only was her son gone but her means of daily provision was wiped out. ‘Don’t Cry!’ this intruder tells her. We can’t stop what comes natural. But what accompanied these strange words was an unbelievable act of love, “I tell you, get up,” and Jesus’ compassion became evident and real to her. ‘And Jesus gave him back to his mother.’
For you, this wasn’t a miraculous act you experienced; however, you felt a lot of compassion from friends, family, and people you’ve never met before as you should. And you’ve been told by the minister and others who have experienced their loss, and the scriptures attest too as well, that our hope in Jesus is real.
And with all that support, the holidays are still hard! Let me share some truths that can help you this season:
Your loved one was not created to live for 50, 60, 80 or 90 years; they weren’t created to live for 10 years, 1 year, 1 month, or 1 minute. They were created for an eternity with God, as you are.
Jesus still has eyes of compassion, and hands to touch you as he touched the son. He touches us through the loving hands of those around who feel your hurt, many having passed through their own valley of the shadow of death. They can relate. And so can our Lord. He wept at the tomb of his dear friend, Lazarus.
Time heals and so does Jesus. Let Him walk with you. God visited the widow then and He visits you today!
Prayer: Jesus, you know I hurt, you know my feelings, I really need some of your comfort this season. Pour your compassion on me through those that love me. I do look forward to my reunion with your gift to me. Thank you for allowing him/her to be a part of my life. Amen.
Charles K
Griefshare.org provides Christian resources for your support. Also, you can sign up for a daily email specifically focused on your grief journeying at https://www.griefshare.org/dailyemails
