To My Fellow Sojourners,
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, the weight of this season may feel heavier for some of us. Whether you're grieving, weary, or simply feeling out of step with the bright and bustling world around you, I want you to know that there is space for that. You don't have to force cheerfulness, and you certainly don't have to pretend you're okay.
We often rush too quickly to resolution, especially in faith spaces. But the practice of lament—allowing ourselves to sit with our pain and speak honestly to God—is a sacred and necessary step toward healing. Scripture doesn’t shy away from darkness. In the Psalms, we read the raw cries of a soul in distress:
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1)
These words remind us that lament is not a failure of faith but an act of trust. To bring our deepest pain and hardest questions before God is to say, “I believe You are big enough to hold this.”
Emmanuel: God With Us in the Darkness
In this season of Advent, we are reminded of Emmanuel—God with us. Not God far away, not God only in the light, but God with us in the darkness. The incarnation of Jesus tells us that God stepped into the messy, broken places of this world and drew near to those who were hurting.
You don’t have to bypass your pain to find God. He is present, even in the longest night.
Practical Steps for Navigating the Season
Take Your Time in Lament: Set aside moments to feel, cry, and release. Create a ritual: light a candle, play a meaningful song, or sit silently. Lament is an expression of truth, and the truth can set us free.
Places to Find Help
Look for culturally affirming resources. Organizations like Therapy for Black Girls or The Loveland Foundation provide spaces of understanding and healing.
Seek out faith communities that honor both your lived experience and your spiritual journey.
Try These Journaling Prompts
What am I grieving this season?
Where do I feel the presence of God, and where do I feel His absence?
What is one small thing I can do to care for myself today?
Write without judgment. Let the words flow as they come.
Tips for Getting Through the Season
Simplify: It’s okay to say no. Create space for quiet and rest.
Connect: Find one person or community you trust and share what you’re feeling.
Honor Your Emotions: Every feeling you have is valid and worthy of attention.
A Closing Word of Hope
Hope is not the absence of sorrow but the belief that light will come again, even if it’s not visible now.
The prophet Isaiah foretold of Jesus, saying:
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)
This light does not demand we ignore our pain. It gently illuminates the path forward, reminding us that God’s love is steadfast and His presence is near.
You are not alone, dear one. In the waiting, in the questions, in the quiet moments of hope and the loud moments of grief, Emmanuel is with you.
With you on the journey,
Gina
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