(from her Lifeboat post on 12/18/2015. Used with permission) There is something I want to share with you all. My husband passed away in October of this year. This was my very first Thanksgiving and Christmas without him for over 15 years. Monday (Dec. 28) was my first birthday without him as well.
During the holidays, I did not receive one phone call nor one visit from friends nor family. Usually every year for the holidays, everyone would always come to my home. Even though I was a little disappointed, I still felt God's peace.
I am sharing this because I always read this Bible verse, John 16:33 - I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. My world has been completely turned upside down and I am definitely facing tribulations (a state of great suffering or trouble), but the peace of God is so deeply rooted in my heart that I can still smile through the midst of it all.
I am encouraging you to know that it is okay to feel pain and to cry, but do not allow it to overtake you. God has His peace waiting especially for you. Receive it and experience being of good cheer through your tribulations. Put God first in your life and in His timing everything will fall into place.
Losing someone we love is never easy, but we can cherish the good times we had together and continue to keep their memories alive as a way to honor them. This is something that God is teaching me as I go through my healing process. I hurt and I cry, but I refuse to allow it pull me down. I am determined to move forward because in reality this is not our permanent home and one day I will see my husband again.
I am praying for you all as you go through your tribulations in this world. I pray that you will receive the peace of God in your hearts and that you will experience the blessings of being of good cheer. I love you all and may God bless you always.
Thank you LaShaunda for sharing this with us today, and may God bless you too. ♥ ferree
I am encouraging you to know that it is okay to feel pain and to cry, but do not allow it to overtake you. God has His peace waiting especially for you. Receive it and experience being of good cheer through your tribulations. Put God first in your life and in His timing everything will fall into place.
Losing someone we love is never easy, but we can cherish the good times we had together and continue to keep their memories alive as a way to honor them. This is something that God is teaching me as I go through my healing process. I hurt and I cry, but I refuse to allow it pull me down. I am determined to move forward because in reality this is not our permanent home and one day I will see my husband again.
I am praying for you all as you go through your tribulations in this world. I pray that you will receive the peace of God in your hearts and that you will experience the blessings of being of good cheer. I love you all and may God bless you always.
Thank you LaShaunda for sharing this with us today, and may God bless you too. ♥ ferree
This is so beautifully written, LaShaunda! May the Lord bless your journey ahead. You are staying close to Him and resting in His promises. That will continue to help you immensely in the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you LaShaunda for sharing your story. Praying you and your family will see and feel God's peace throughout the new year.
ReplyDeleteDear LaShaunda ~ I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteYour post was a beautiful testimony of your faith in Jesus and of the peace that He alone can give.
Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady
Amen LaShaunda! I am so happy you and your kids found His blessed peace. I am so very sorry for your loss, and for the holidays you had to get through without your beloved. The Lord made sure your hope was in Him, and He blessed you with enriching times with your son and daughter. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. May God bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you and your family. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry LaShaunda. Friends and family tend to move on quickly. They also don't have any idea how much it hurts a widow to act as if her husband never existed. (So maybe it's easier for them to cope if they don't see you and your family suffer.) I really don't know why it happens, wish I did. I pray the Lord will bring you and your family through these tough days and give you much peace. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteLaShaunda - your post touched me very deeply today when I read Ferree's blog. It is only by keeping our eye on the Lord that we will be able to cope with this life after losing our husbands, and continue to thrive. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ferree for posting my story and thank you everyone for your encouraging words. God Bless you all!
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