Column: Maiden Voyage, by Sherry Westland

The holidays can bring much joy. Many anticipate celebrating their first Christmas as newlyweds. Others will celebrate with the joy of their baby’s first Christmas, and still others relish the joy of a traditional holiday celebration with loved ones.

Yet if you look around, you will see many people who have a very different response to the holidays. Many are lonely, depressed, suffering the loss of loved ones, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Others have lost jobs, and many just don’t feel valued and are struggling to find meaning and purpose in life.

As you go through the holiday season, be aware of those around you. Look for signs of depression and perhaps of suicidal thoughts of those in your circle. Don’t miss, dismiss or avoid the signs. If you are having suicidal thoughts or know someone who is, reach out for help by calling 911, or the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.

You will find trained professionals who will not judge you, but will help you. If you suffer from PTSD, visit EFTUniverse.com for valuable information and a demo about emotional freedom techniques, hence EFT in the Web address.

If you don’t feel loved or feel your life has no value, reach out and talk with others. People love and care about you even though you don’t feel it.

For those who have lost loved ones, there is a wonderful book called “Surviving the Holidays” that is put out by Grief Share. To obtain a free copy of the book, please call 402-4840. Consider joining the Grief Share Recovery Support Group that will be starting Jan. 4 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. For more information and to register, call 369-5302.

Considering the pain of those who are hurting, causes me to pause to consider the meaning of the season. I believe in the hope of Christmas! Jesus was born into this world to end all suffering, and to make it possible to know the God’s love. One day there will be no more sorrow, or sadness, or death, all things will be made new! (Rev. 21:3-5) Now that’s good news!

As many know, when sin entered the world, it separated us from God and his original plan for us. The Bible says that sin is the source of all our problems and, I believe, it is responsible for our faulty state of mind.

The evil one attacks us in our minds and wants to keep us down and ultimately destroy us. But John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall have everlasting life.”

Jesus was born to live a sinless life and bear the sins of the world dying on a cross. The amazing thing was that God, who has the power over death, raised Jesus from the dead. For those of us who have lost loved ones, this is very good news! The hope of seeing my son and my mom again is very healing to me.

Jesus is our righteousness when, through repentance, we accept the free gift of salvation. We are then restored to a right relationship with God. And the best news is that we don’t have to go through life alone, he’s right beside us. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Jesus was born to bring restoration and salvation. God is our comforter and healer. Because of Jesus sacrifice on our behalf, we can look forward to a bright future filled with hope! John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

An abundant life is my hope for everyone!

Merry Christmas!

 

Albert Lea resident Sherry Westland is Ms. Minnesota in the Ms. Senior America Pageant. She writes about surviving the suicide of a loved one.