My grandmother was my rock and losing her 10 year ago was one of the hardest things of my life. She threw my graduation party. She was a savvy, widowed entrepreneur, with Mary Kay for over 20 years, throwing the best and fanciest parties alive! She was such a bright light and feisty Godly woman who I absolutely adored.

So this devotion is written out of so much love for her and all the other people who have lost loved ones, loss of a child or experienced divorce and are having a hard time processing it all. It’s ok. You are normal. Cry. Be sad. If it hits you like a ton of bricks, it’s ok. There’s no set time for grieving for being sad, but I do know this, God is close to the brokenhearted. He hears you. He sees your tears, and he cares for you!

My Grandma Lillie and I, and our oldest daughter Michaela circa 2008.

So how do you help someone who is grieving this holiday season?

You CALL THEM. If they are on your heart, reach out to them. Text is great, but sometimes they need to hear a voice. Hear your heart. So call them and listen to them. Ask questions about how they are doing and if they need anything.
Bring them coffee or take them out for coffee if they are local. The last thing I wanted to do when I was grieving was be around people, BUT it was good for me because I was not alone in my thoughts and emotions. Take a moment to love on your friend or relative during this holiday season.
PRAY PRAY PRAY! But I’m going to take it a step further. This morning, God woke me up at 4:30 with a dear friend on my heart. So I sent her a text at 5am! Yes, I know I’m crazy, but we have that close relationship (and both of us are morning people so we can do that). So God prompted me to reach out to her. She was on my heart when I woke up at 4am, and I began to pray. But then she said, “I’m up can you call me.” Why absolutely. My kids and hubby were still asleep, so I called and listened. And then asked, “Can I pray for you?” Be bold. Call and pray for them. Meet with them and pray for them out loud. Be bold and allow God’s words to love on them like never before.
BRING FOOD or HAVE IT DELIVERED! Another one of my friends is grieving for a different reason, so I called her up this week and brought her dinner. It took all of 15 minutes to pick up a meal from a local place she loves. Grab dinner for your grieving friend or make it if you have time. With four kids and opening our 2nd restaurant, Eggs Up Grill Camden, I didn’t have time, BUT I did have time to pick up food! Do what’s best for you! Grab dinner for them! They will be so blessed by your meal! If you are not local, use a delivery service or USE CASH APP or VENMO or PAYPAL to send them cash for dinner! There are ways around being in a different state or city! You do not have to be local!
Offer to clean their house or go sit with them and chat. The loneliest time of year is around the holiday season. So many people are alone, lonely, and feeling the weight of not having a loved one to share it with! Go sit with them, be with them if you can! Jesus is great! He is my homeboy, but certain people don’t have family, don’t have a husband, or feel the sting of loss in the pit of their stomachs, and they just need to be loved on this holiday season! Sit with them. Be with them. Serve them. Be intentional to connect regularly with them. Be the hands and feet of Jesus to them!

I remember losing my grandmother 10 years ago, and it was hard. I even miss her this am as we are days away from Christmas. As I’m reminded of her, I know she’s looking down from heaven smiling down at us. I had so many people who helped me during that tough time and other tough times in my life! And you can too!

So now, how will you help someone whose grieving this holiday season? Let’s go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus TODAY!

Until next time friends,

Shelly

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