May we not hide our tears in the rain and instead may we begin to cry together. I lit my candle at church yesterday to Honor the Light of the world and also to remember to be a light to those hurting. This is what came to mind.
For many, Christmas is wrapped in lights, laughter, and tradition. But for others, this season comes heavy, marked not by joy, but by empty chairs, unanswered questions, and grief that feels louder than carols.
This Christmas, I want to pause and acknowledge the families for whom the holidays are not easy. The ones showing up with brave faces while their hearts ache. The ones learning how to breathe again after devastating loss.
This month, on December 6th, our community lost Desree to domestic violence. She was a BSN nurse, a woman who deeply cared for people, especially those navigating mental illness. She gave of herself professionally and personally, offering compassion and care where it was most needed.
My heart cannot stop thinking about her beautiful children, Christian, Chloe, Charizma, Royal, and Luca, and what this Christmas feels like without their mother.
So today, I’m inviting our community to pray.
Pray not only for support, but for something deeper. Pray that these children would one day be able to transform this pain into purpose, fueled by a passion for good. Pray that the evils of this world would have no stronghold over their hearts or their futures. Also, pray that they are allowed to feel it all.
May they feel the pain, the anger, and the grief, because those emotions are evidence of deep love. Love worth mourning. Love worth honoring. Love that does not disappear with death.
God is our Comforter. My prayer is that these children would experience His comfort through the hands and feet of those who surround them, family, friends, neighbors, and community, serving them in Jesus’ name.
As their family steps up to care for them, may they be blessed, not burdened. May provision meet them. May strength rise where exhaustion lives. May love multiply.
Let them grieve what has been taken, and also experience gratitude for the time they had with Desree. Both can coexist. Grief and gratitude can sit at the same table.
I also want to extend this prayer to those affected by domestic violence, whether you are a victim, an abuser, or someone who has been both.
May this be a moment to begin understanding.
To seek help.
To choose healing.
May you fight through feelings without silencing them.
Push through pain without numbing it.
Face the truth without being consumed by shame.
Healing is possible.
Please pray as well for Desree’s mother Patricia, her father Gabriel, her bonus mom Jennie, and all who love her deeply. Pray for justice, not rooted in blame or regret, but in courage and change. Step by step. System by system. Heart by heart.
In times like this, it’s easy for blame to creep in, or for regret to take over. My prayer is that none of that would touch this family. May condemnation have no place here.
Instead, may they experience all the fruit of the Spirit this Christmas:
Love.
Joy.
Peace.
Patience.
Kindness.
Goodness.
Faithfulness.
Gentleness.
Self-control.
Not because circumstances are easy, but because God is near.
If Christmas feels hard for you this year, you are not alone. If grief feels heavier than celebration, you are seen. If you don’t know how to pray, let this be enough:
God, draw near. Comfort. Protect. Heal. Restore. Let love have the final word.
In Jesus Name Amen.
I love you. Always & Forever
❤️ Stephanie Ellison
Simply Encourage Blog 