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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

His word is His love letter to us.

Sometimes we are in so much pain we can feel very disconnected from God. “Emmanuel” is always with us! If you are struggling this holiday season, please take some time to spend with Him. Pour out your heart to Him. He will answer.

Below is a copy of the first letter I wrote to God after my husband’s death on September 12, 2011. It was written just thirteen days after his death. I poured out my heart to God, and He was there. On that day and many days since He has reminded me that I am holy and dearly loved. Perhaps you are experiencing some of these same feelings.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I sit before You today as your child with a broken heart…but all the pieces are Yours. As much as I love my husband, miss him and struggle with this unbearable pain- I love You more than anything or anyone. You gave me that gift, a heart that loves You through all things.

As much as my mind struggles with the losses I have experienced-I love You more. As much as I struggle with wanting to be brought home and delivered from this world, this pain, I love You more. Your word tells me in Col 3:12 (NIV) that as God’s chosen people (which I am) I am holy and dearly loved.

Lord, I am struggling with this pain but I know two things: 1) You are sovereign over everything and everyone and 2) You are good. I thank You for that wisdom and the strength that comes from Your truth.

I feel broken and of no value but I know that You live in me and that You will continue to fulfill Your purposes through me. My life is not my own, it is Yours. It was bought for a price and now through my husband’s death, I have a better appreciation of the price that was paid.

Lord, there is so much I don’t understand but I know Your will is perfect, pleasing, and acceptable. I know that I am not to lean on my own understanding. Lord, I hurt so much, I am broken, but I am Your chosen one, I am holy and dearly loved.

Beloved Sisters, there is no easy way to process our hurt and grief, particularly during the holidays.

I encourage you to try writing down your thoughts and feelings and where you can, add in God’s truth. When I look back at the letter I wrote to God when the pain was so excruciating, I am so grateful that even (and especially) then, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit, of God’s truth.

I pray today you will pour out your heart to God and let Him comfort you as only He can. May the Holy Spirit remind you as He did me, you are His. You were created to be holy and dearly loved!

If you are uncertain if you are one of His chosen ones, then cry out to Him and ask Him to be Lord of your life. He will answer.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)