It’s become a seasonal joke for our family—that time my mom sarcastically wailed in a fit of frustration at Christmas, “We’re all so merry . . . merry, merry, merry!” Although it wasn’t funny in the moment, my mom, brothers, and I can look back and laugh about it today. What’s more, I can sympathize. As a married mother of three myself, I know that merry moods can be hard to come by during “the most wonderful time of the year.”
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the holidays to be very unmerry for some families. If this describes where you find yourself today, know you’re not the only one. There have been times when I’ve wanted to feel “merry, merry, merry!” instead of absolutely miserable. I’ve wept with grief over the empty chair at the Thanksgiving dinner, and I’ve sobbed with disappointment due to festive gatherings being dampened by tensions and trials. No, you’re not alone in your longing for peace. There are others who feel sad, stressed, and miserable this year.
While the reasons for these seasonal struggles will vary from family to family, the need to depend on God’s sustaining grace remains the same. Thankfully, he doesn’t begrudge your neediness but welcomes it wholeheartedly (Isaiah 55:1–3)! God knows that holidays can be hard days—that you can only endure them if he daily bears you up (Psalm 68:19). Here are three specific ways that God ministers his grace to you during your unmerry holiday.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the holidays to be very unmerry for some families. If this describes where you find yourself today, know you’re not the only one. There have been times when I’ve wanted to feel “merry, merry, merry!” instead of absolutely miserable. I’ve wept with grief over the empty chair at the Thanksgiving dinner, and I’ve sobbed with disappointment due to festive gatherings being dampened by tensions and trials. No, you’re not alone in your longing for peace. There are others who feel sad, stressed, and miserable this year.
While the reasons for these seasonal struggles will vary from family to family, the need to depend on God’s sustaining grace remains the same. Thankfully, he doesn’t begrudge your neediness but welcomes it wholeheartedly (Isaiah 55:1–3)! God knows that holidays can be hard days—that you can only endure them if he daily bears you up (Psalm 68:19). Here are three specific ways that God ministers his grace to you during your unmerry holiday.
