The Cards We Send

Lectio Divina Out Loud: Erika Dix struggles with how to send a card this season to those who are grieving.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

It is that time of year again. It can be lovely for some, and difficult for others. I just finished watching The Bishop’s Wife with my daughter while we worked on holiday cards. It is one of our family’s favorite traditions. Each member of my family gets a section of the list to fill out cards and stuff them into the envelopes. It is fun to think about and pray for the people we are sending cards to. It is also an exhausting task, so doing it together while watching a beloved Christmas movie makes it all the better and I am so blessed to have my family to help.  

Be mindful of Him 

The toughest card to write this year was for a friend of ours who lost his wife to breast cancer. It was sudden and unexpected, but also hit hard because she is about my age. We are struggling with what to write and whether we should put in the customary family photo and letter we like to share. What do you say when someone is heartbroken? What do you say to someone who’s family is not whole any longer?  

I chose this Scripture passage to pray with for a completely different reason, but I was guided to use it to meditate on those questions. I have been blessed in my life and I have not experienced strong moments of grief. I have had a close family member survive cancer many times over, yet our friend’s wife did not survive hers. I struggle with what to say to someone who lost a spouse or is divorced, while I am happily married. I have friends who are estranged from their parents, siblings and even their children, yet I have three sets of parents, wonderful step-siblings, and children who like to spend time with their parents.  

Trust the Lord with your heart 

My mind keeps wanting to answer these thoughts, but what I really need to do is listen to my heart. My heart says to love them, think about them, and listen to them. It says to appreciate what they are going through, and to be with them where they are, not where they need to be. To not force them to think it will be better soon, or that they should move on. Grief and love have no time limit, and sometimes giving space is just as healing as a hug.  

Make straight their paths 

I am not currently in a state of grief, so most of what is said here is from those around me who have shared their grief with me. I am honored that they have trusted me with those moments and stories of love and loss. I think about the trust we put in others, and how it is even stronger when we put our trust in the Lord. It is in those moments when I see the friends that I care about in pain that I want to turn to the Lord for Him to make straight their crooked path they are walking on.

I want to trust with all my heart and keep my mind all on Him and the way He wants me to be there for my loved ones. In our little way, we can put our hearts into the cards we will send to those who are grieving this holiday season, and hopefully, for just a moment, they will be able to see a path straight to the One who will comfort them the most.  

Prayer:

Lord, in all our ways this holiday season, may we trust in You, and find a path to those who need Your comfort.  

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Copyright 2024 Erika Dix
Images: Canva