Twas the night after Christmas and I was still numb;
The holidays felt like they had not really come.
It’s hard to explain, but it didn’t seem fair,
That my child is now gone, and I cannot share
The laughter and joy of this fun holiday
In our wonderful, traditional family way.
She is not nestled all snug in her bed
With memories of another Christmas filling her head.
“Will it ever get better?” I ask in my heart,
Knowing that each year we will remain apart.
As I cry out to God full of heartache and tears,
He reminds me His presence remains very near.
And though I don’t feel a desire to celebrate 
The reason to do so remains very great.
For Jesus came as a baby on earth
To give life here meaning, value and worth.
And even though I have said goodbye
And I am confused and don’t know why,
The truth remains I will see you again
And there will be no more tears or pain.
But until that day comes and it’s my turn to go
There is one thing that I certainly know,
The love that I have for you is without measure
And you remain in my heart, as a beautiful treasure.
And while dreading to go into a year that is new
I realize each day brings me closer to you.
My Christmas may not have been merry and bright,
But because Jesus came, someday, it will all be made right.
(by author Laura Diehl)
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Expressions of Hope is provided by 
Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope). The founders, Dave and Laura Diehl, travel full time in their Hope Mobile (a 38-foot motor home) to be more easily available for speaking and ministry requests, and bringing intimate weekend retreats to bereaved parents. Laura is also a singer/songwriter and the author of multiple award-winning books.
If you would like more information about bringing Dave and Laura to you for an event, please send an email to office@gpshope.org.
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different than what God means when He uses the word hope. Have you ever thought about how crazy it would be that when God talks about hope in the Bible, He is talking about wishful thinking? Let’s read some Scriptures that way.
A great example is a little girl who hopes she will get married someday. That is the wishful thinking kind of hope. But one day a young man comes into her life, they fall deeply in love, and he gets down on one knee with a question and a ring. Her getting married is no longer wishful thinking. It is something she actually starts planning for with anticipation, knowing it is coming. There is a confident expectation that she is going to get married.
surrounds us, Lord, for our hope (confident expectation) is in you alone. (NLT)
Are you in God’s kingdom? Then you are in a place where there is full resurrection power. You can learn to live again. Allow God to plant His seed of hope right in the middle of your pain, and ask Him what you can do to nourish it, as you watch it grow into life.
