My heart hurts today. It hurts for many of you. My friends out there who are struggling with deep pain. The world is going on with the hustle and bustle of Christmas, and you are holding on by a thread. You’re doing your best to smile as you check out of the store. You’re saying the words, “Merry Christmas”, and yet you feel anything but “merry”. You’re hiding the tears, as people mention their families gathering for Christmas. You’re forcing yourself to get up and go, to move forward, when everything in you wants to stop. I see you, Friend. And I love you. More importantly, God sees you. And He loves you.

To my friends who are crawling instead of walking. Crying instead of laughing. You are seen. And you are loved.

To my friends who have lost a loved one, those of you who will sit through Christmas with that empty chair filled with memories staring back at you, you are seen. You are loved.

To my friends who have a family member who is distant, perhaps writing you out of their story, your pain is real. You are seen, and you are loved.

To the family who just lost a wife and mom, we are reeling with you. You are seen, and you are loved.

To the one spending this holiday season in the hospital, wishing to be with your family around the Christmas tree, know that you are seen. And you are loved.

To the family sitting alongside their loved ones in the hospital, wondering if you have enough strength to support your loved one on their health journey, you are seen. And you are loved.

To the couple who lost their baby before he could take his first breath, we mourn with you. You are seen. And you are loved.

To my friends who are silently struggling with addiction, those who will watch the food and drinks pass by them, as the desire to partake grows stronger by the minute, you are seen. You are loved.

To my friends who sit alone this holiday season, remembering the days when your home was full of love and laughter, you too are seen. And you are loved.

Although our world is much different than it was 2000 years ago, when Jesus was born, the pain remains the same. The hopelessness was evident. Sickness darkened the doors of families. Wayward family members impacted the group around the dinner table. Loneliness was present. These are not new hurts. They are hurts that a living God saw, as the perfect world He created became filled with pain. But our God saw that! Just as He sees every one of us. He saw the need for a Savior. He saw the need for the brokenness to be healed. For loneliness to be replaced with joy. He saw the need for families to be restored. For addictions to be broken. He saw the need for healing. He saw the need for eternal life, so we could sit at the table once again with those we lost. He saw…and He sees.

Our loving and faithful God chose to send His Son, Jesus, into a lost and painfilled world. He did that for you. He did that for me. Because He sees us. And He loves us.

My hope and prayer for you this Christmas season is that if you are one of the people who are hurting, allow Him and others to walk this journey with you. Let people minister to you; that’s what our loving God does for us. And if you’re one of the people who are doing well, then please keep your eyes open for those who need you this holiday season. In Matthew 9:37 it says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest". May we be one of the laborers He sends to walk alongside the hurting this holiday season.

If you or your family need some extra prayers this Christmas, please let me know. I’d be honored to pray for you.

Scriptures of Hope

Today, I encourage you to choose a verse or two, write them down, place them somewhere in your home where they’ll be visible, and allow God to minister to your heart through His Words. 

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I Corinthians 1:9

Isaiah 43:4: God sees us as precious and honored, and loves us so much that he would exchange nations for our life. 

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. Psalm 139:1

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Misty Cramer is an author & speaker who recently released her first book. The Every Day God, 40 Daily Devotions for Walking with God through Everyday Moments, quickly made its way to Amazon's #1 New Release and Best Seller lists in multiple categories. In this book, she authentically shares her own story to remind us all that God has a specific plan, even in the midst of life's messes. She has been married to Todd for 40 years and has five adult sons. While they enjoy their time as "empty nesters" in rural Michigan, they also love visits from their sons, four daughters-in-law, and three granddaughters. Misty sends out a monthly devotion as part of her newsletter, and she'd love to send it along to you. The link to subscribe to the devotion, as well as the link to Misty's book can be found below:

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