I would like to introduce you to a new friend Sarah Knepper.  I have asked to share a recent post here today.  Sarah is a stay-at-home mama of four and an engineer’s wife. She is a lover of words, encourager of women, and redeemed by a grace-giving God. She holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and is the Volunteer Coordinator for the women’s events at her church. And she firmly believes that Jesus and coffee can get you anything.

Christmas 2009 will be one I never forget…how can I?

I was a single mother of three children ages 4, 2, and 9 months. We lived with my mother and as the season quickly approached my heart grew heavy with anxiety.

How would we celebrate Christmas when I could not afford one present?

Thankfully, I had support from family and friends. My mother purchased a train table and all the accessories for her grandchildren and after I tucked everyone in bed on Christmas Eve I sat in the living room piecing it all together.

I remember connecting the wooden track ever so gently. The bright colored engines were strategically placed as were the signs and barriers.

And just when I placed the last box car on the track I hit the bridge with my elbow and knocked every single piece down.

My heart started to race and I became so angry that with one swoop I pushed all the pieces on the floor. I sat with my head in my hands and began to sob uncontrollably.

I could not believe my life had turned out this way. I never imagined being a single parent, the left-behind wife of a broken marriage. I fought so hard for my husband to get help and it still didn’t work.

Where was God in all of this? I questioned His love and my loneliness. I envied my married friends whose husbands were there spending time with their families.

And yet I wanted nothing more than an invitation to be a part of someone’s Merry Christmas because my heart was worn and weary.

Isn’t that what we all want?

To be included.

To be loved.

To be welcomed.

To be accepted.

Do you have a friend hurting this Christmas? Most people do not want to admit they are lonely during the holidays but many are experiencing depression, sadness and loss.

As I thought back over my first Christmas as a single parent I remembered what helped me feel not so alone. Below are some simple ways you can touch a friend’s life who needs hope this Christmas.

Call your friend. DO NOT just send a text. I had a few friends who regularly called me to check in. Those calls meant so much to me. It was a chance to hear someone else’s voice and to know they cared.

Invite your friend (and his or her children) over for Christmas dinner. Or invite them to church. Chances are he or she will want to be invited but does not want to be a burden to your family. If your friend declines, ask again. Reassure her she and her family will not be interrupting your plans.

Give to your friend. This doesn’t have to be a costly gift. You can offer to watch her children for an evening while she goes out. Or buy little things for her children. Target has a great Dollar section! Offer to cook a meal or bring games over to play. Most single parents don’t have time to plan lots of fun activities.

Do not take no for an answer. If your friend is anything like me then she is not going to call you up and ask for help.

Pray with your friend. This may not seem like much but when others prayed with me I felt so much better. Whether it was over the phone or in person, I was comforted by the fact that someone took the time to speak life and hope over my family and that I got to hear the words. This gesture often brought on tears but they were tears that needed to flow. Too often I held in my emotions to appear strong. Who else was going to take care of everything?

You need to be Jesus’ hands and feet. You need to offer the hope your friend is desperate to find. You need to stand up and bravely bridge the gap between her broken heart and your loving hospitality.

What are some other ways we can offer hope this Christmas?  Leave your comments below.

 

To read Sarah’s follow up article, go to http://redemptiondiary.com/2014/12/09/offer-hope-hurting-friend-christmas-part-2/