Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, sometimes holidays can be difficult. A friend's reminder about so many more obits in the paper due to COVID-19, as we are now entering the holiday season, surely means a lot more folks are having a difficult time, due to the loss of their loved one. She mentioned that her dear friend lost a special uncle in a different state and that another friend told her about the loss of her dear cousin, also in a different state. Friends near or far, are experiencing heart ache. We know that You, dear Lord, truly do understand and that You know the depth of our grief, and that You care and will comfort our hearts.

It is comforting to read Your Word in Revelations. We pick it up 7:16-17 (NIV): "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'He will lead them to springs of living water.' And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Family and friends often do remind us that no matter what sort of problems we might have faced yesterday, or what problems will show up today or maybe even tomorrow, that it is important for us to keep hope alive. Thinking back, we might recall some difficult times we had as a kid and how Mom and Dad did encourage us. We know that during the Holidays, difficult times can be ever so hard on us and our loved ones, so we need to remember that our hope is in You, Lord.

Help us, Lord, to be a source of Your love and comfort to our friends who might be needing encouragement as they walk through a rough heartbroken holiday time.

Love, Mara