As 2024 is just beginning, I have been thinking and praying about a word I want to focus on for the year. I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions, as I often lose momentum after a few weeks, but I do like to have something I focus on for the year.
For 2023, my focus was to be INTENTIONAL. I wanted to be intentional in my relationships, my home businesses, my time with the Lord and my health. Some things went well, and others were more challenging.
A few years prior, my focus was CONTENTMENT. Let me tell you, so many things came at me that year that challenged my contentment. But it made me lean harder on Jesus as my only source for contentment.
Read more...The first Christmas after the loss of a spouse can be an overwhelming and bittersweet experience, especially when you are left with small children to care for. It is during this time of year, cherished for its joy and togetherness, that the absence of your beloved spouse is deeply felt. As someone who has walked this journey, I want to extend my heartfelt compassion and share some insights on how to navigate the emotions and find hope during this challenging time.
Read more...Life can be overwhelming at times, especially around the holidays. There are expectations that we put on ourselves or others put on us, and it can be a lot.
Right after my husband passed away, I had to pull back from many things, as I didn’t have the capacity to handle very much. Life was overwhelming and exhausting, and we were in survival mode.
As time passed and the Lord has brought healing to my heart, I have added activities and events back in. But sometimes, I overestimate what I am able to do and truly enjoy. When I start feeling the stress build, and it begins affecting my heart and health, I know it’s time to step back.
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In Part One, I shared the shock that I went through when my husband passed. In Part Two, I shared how I was helped through the devastating shock. In this post, I want to give you some ways to navigate through the fog and difficulty of suddenly losing your spouse.
Shock can display itself in many ways. If you have lost a loved one unexpectedly and are grappling with the shock, here are some strategies that may help you cope.
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I am very blessed to have a supportive family and close friends who made sure I was taken care of before and after Jon passed. While nothing could take my grief away, having others around was a comfort.
My parents, who had been so supportive while Jon went through his battle with cancer, were right there with me in the hospital, helping me get answers from the doctors, praying with me, and crying with me. They helped me make phone calls to family, as Jon’s death was near. They stuck very close to my kids and I for several weeks. Their guidance was invaluable, as I had many decisions to make over those first few days and weeks, and they helped me wade through all of it. They made sure I got the rest I needed, food that I could tolerate until the nausea passed, and went to the funeral home with me to take care of the details of Jon’s burial and service.
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