Holidays are a special time for families to get together. However, for some family gatherings they have someone they love missing. Some have lost loved ones who graduated to heaven. Others are separated due to other extenuating circumstances such as illness, finances, work, military service, or addictions. Then there are the families separated due to incarceration.
When my son was sentenced to prison, I grieved. Hard. The life I imagined our family would have vanished with the incarceration. That led to the grief that led to a season of depression.
In God’s faithfulness, He placed people in my life who encouraged me when I needed it. One person spoke a valuable piece of advice to me after my oldest son’s sentencing. She said, “Shonda you still have a son at home who needs you. Do not miss him because you miss Stephen.”
Those words stirred my spirit enough for me to snap off enough of the despair to focus on my family around me without forsaking the one behind bars. I had to learn to find the balance between the two different lives of my two sons.
Fast forward four years later and a friend who also has an incarcerated son shared a Beth Moore video with me that ministered to her for dealing with life during the holidays. This truth resonated with me, and now I share it with you.
In the video, Beth Moore discussed the grief of losing a loved one to death. But I also believe this truth applies to the grief of having a loved one incarcerated. Beth said:
“We can miss somebody so much that we miss the people right in front of us. In the name of Jesus and the help of the Spirit, do not miss those whom you have because of those whom you miss.”
Powerful words to process! To see the full 3-minute video segment, click here or on the image.
Yes, remember those who are in prison as though you are there with them (see Hebrews 13:3). Send cards, talk on the phone, and go visit them.
But let’s NOT miss our families on the outside because we miss someone on the inside!
