Thanksgiving is this week. Can parents in pain give thanks? There was a time when I would have answered that question with a hearty, “No way!” What I wrote today is a twist on ‘Twas the Night before Christmas for a hurting parent at Thanksgiving. I found the idea on the internet and modified the content for us.

‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving,

When all through the house

A family was struggling, for “Suzie” was nowhere about.

Mom couldn’t pretend that all was okay,

Her heart was too broken–there was nothing to say.

Her child wasn’t there, nothing was the same.

No one could understand the depth of her pain.

Dad felt it, too, the loss was so great,

Their lives filled with sorrow, anger, and shame,

For they no longer knew this child they had named.

Their boy’s a stranger, their girl’s gone astray

To the land of addiction, estrangement, and shame.

I hate you! and Whatever! are the constant refrain.

How they long and yearn for the years gone by

When games were played and times were fun

Their kids enjoyed them and liked to come.

But those days have past, who knows what’s ahead?

Will their child see the new year or end up…dead?

Dear mom or dad—

This a tender reminder others feel just like you,

Even I once struggled to drag myself through

I cried and cried, thought I wouldn’t survive.

But I did and today I hold out a rope,

To help you hold on in faith with hope.

Please don’t give up and don’t turn away.

Pause, be still, and find a way

To lift up your eyes to the heavens above

God sees, He cares, and  He loves,

He’ll help you be grateful for who He is

Draw near, press in, come close to Him,

Then you, too, can be thankful when

You remember and believe within

That You’re Not Alone.

Not ever. No Never.

Are you all on your own.

The Bible Resonates With this Truth:

“I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

And Isaiah 41:10a (NLT):

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

***How are you feeling with Thanksgiving only a few days away? Can you relate to this? What is helping you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.