It starts as one flake of white swirling lazily to the ground. You catch a glimpse out of the corner of your eye and then several more flakes join their friend in the dance to the ground. It doesn’t take long before the calm, swirling of snowflakes becomes a frenzied push to reach the earth. In front of you is a screen of white, where one snowflake joined arms with another, then three or more until all the dots were connected.
A sense of longing – a deep yearning begins much like the dance of the snowflakes. One small flake graces the sky and one twinge of an ache for more pinches you to pause and look for more. The initial awakening to the longing starts small but builds in intensity as you give it a place to rest and settle. As one speck of white grows to whiteout proportions, so can your longing.
My longing began this past week and hovered on the edges of my vision until the end of the week when it became a storm of emotions. The ache of missing my mom became a full-blown desire to hug her once more, talk to her and tell her about the mundane and the chance to just be in her presence. The holidays have a way of stirring up loss as well as intense joy. Our longing is God’s call to reach out to Him for comfort and understanding so we can turn our loss into a deeper relationship with Him.
When longing becomes a deep thirst for more, turn to God to quench the thirst.
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
[Tweet “Longing is a craving for more that is fulfilled by seeking more of God.”]
During this season of family, memories, food, and fun, please know that I am praying for all who feel this sense of longing. May God be your center and may He steady you as the ache grows and He fills it with His love and knowing comfort.
Blessings,
Mary
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I can relate to the single thought or memory turning into a wave of emotions. It took years for me to overcome the sudden loss of my older sister. Mary, may you find comfort among family and friends this holiday. Blessings!
Blessed by your prayer, Carrie! Longing runs deep and can hit at a moment’s notice. I will pray for you as you continue to learn your new normal even if it has been years. Thanksgiving blessings to you!
Hi Mary! I know what you mean. I lost my mom four years ago this December. I am so sorry for your pain; I know it’s a reflection of the love you had for her. And that love will never go away. I often wonder why we are called to love so deeply, only to lose the ones we love.
I guess I’ll never know the answer to that until I see the Lord face to face. May he give you peace and grace to calm your aching heart, and bring you peace.
Blessings,
Ceil
We are called to love deeply and this is a reflection of the unfailing love of God for us. The loss of someone aches so deep and God teaches us peace in the hurt when we turn to Him. I appreciate your call for peace and calm and will intentionally seek God this season when my heart feels like it cannot handle the loss. Blessings!
Blessings to you. My dad has been gone for 2 years, and someone asked me yesterday how I was doing in anticipation of being without him for the holidays. And it made me feel sadder, somehow, in the midst of someone caring. I know this push and pull will exist. Thank you for pointing us to the One who gives ultimate comfort.
I know how the ache never goes away when we experience such a loss. Praying for you as you walk through the holidays without your dad. May we all hold onto God, our Comforter, for all we need during this time of great joy and memories of great loss. Blessings for a beautiful Thanksgiving.
The holiday’s have a way of stirring up many emotions, don’t they? I am most grateful to have my husband home this year but as the holiday’s grow closer the more I long for our family to all be together again. Wishing it was time for our son to return home. 🙁
But I know He keeps watch over family near and fear. It is well with my soul…
Lifting up a prayer for you, friend.
Love you.
xoxo
Thank you for your prayers! I know how important family is to you and I feel the same way since my brothers all live out of town. I will also pray for you and for safety for your son. May your Thanksgiving be a time to just be and allow God to enter into your celebration as you praise Him for all He has done.
What a gripping analogy! The snow seems so harmless, a quiet onslaught. How quickly it finds a home and consumes everything. Even so, a fleeting wish can grow and consume us if we allow it to take our eyes off of our Greatest Desire.
Great post!
Love how you described in your own words the strength of a snowstorm. God, however, is our beacon in all the storms of life and turning to Him will make all the difference. Such beauty in your words and encouragement. Blessed you stopped by!
Mary, my heart is filled with the longing to fill the empty space left by losing your mom. I am praying for you, My Dear Friend. May God wrap His arms around you and whisper that He is close. May the Holy Spirit blow through the hole in your heart to make it whole. I love you.
Your words are so beautiful and I can feel the love you said them with filling me up! You are such a treasure and know me so well. I love how you build into our friendship! Love you!
Oh… Mary… yes. This, in particular: “Our longing is God’s call to reach out to Him for comfort and understanding so we can turn our loss into a deeper relationship with Him.” I am so thankful He is near to the brokenhearted, especially this year. May you find your heart held, embraced by His tangible nearness. Love you, my friend. <3
Amen! Your words are like a prayer of comfort and for that I am so thankful. God is the Great Comforter and I hold on tight to that each day. Happy Thanksgiving! Love you right back friend!
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and thoughtful post. May you know Gods presence this Christmas season and may He fill you up with His love. Blessings
May we all know God’s presence this holiday season and reach to Him with all we are feeling and wishing for! Blessed you stopped by! May your Thanksgiving be wonderful!
Our tears seem to come more quickly these days, don’t they, dear friend. Please know that God is keeping you close to my heart and I am lifting you back up to Him …
Thank you for your ministry to me during these uncertain times.
Hugs.
Oh friend! I feel as if we lead similar lives at times and share more than our stories on a page reveal. We are sisters in Christ and that bond allows us to feel the same things and learn so much from each other. I sent you an email yesterday! Hope you got it. Much love!