Red bows. Evergreen wreathes. Bright white icicle lights. The scent and sounds of holidays surround us. If you’ll look closer, you’ll see the countless brave faces of those you know and love.
There are 3 words they want to tell you but can’t.
The single mom who survived a brutal divorce now wonders how she’ll pay for any, let alone the pricey list, of gifts her kids beg her to buy.
The widower who buries himself in work to ease the pain of the tragic loss of the love of his life.
The parents whose child left this world a lifetime too early.
The single friend who aches with a thousand “Why God?” questions, yet faces another holiday alone and feeling so alone.
They wear the bravest faces.
Favorable nods. Laughter on cue.
I think of Beth, who just lost her mother and will face her first Christmas without her momma.
I think of Cameron, who will walk through this holiday season with irreversible stage-4 cancer.
I think of Olivia, who will pass through another Christmas childless.
Sometimes we forget Christmas has always been season of great joy mixed with heartbreaking pain.
The prince of peace penetrates in a world marked by terror.
The savior arrives among the slaughter of innocents.
Yet…
Christmas invites you to be the Christ among us.
Holidays invite you to be the healer among us.
Nativity invites you to be nurturer of new life.
This is your season. To be Christ. To shine bright. To radiate hope. To instill strength.
To know that for many of the people in your life, they have 3 words they want to tell you, but can’t find the courage or strength or awareness to utter:
I need you.
I NEED you.
I need YOU.
They need you to break the silence, to scoop them up in arms of love, to remind them that you haven’t forgotten…you are with them, you are praying for them, you care for them.
I can’t tell you what joy it’s been to reach out through emails and texts and cards to speak words of life and hope.
In my battle with cancer, I found so many of the cards sent lacked the words I needed to hear. That’s when I created Do No Harm Cards. Many of you have sent them to friends and loved ones around the world.
This holiday season, I felt compelled to launch three new designs to speak hope and life.
They just arrived from the printer and I’ve already mailed my first ones… Tell Me What You Need will soon arrive to a friend who just lost her dad.
I sealed the card The Life I See In You Is Big, Bold, and Brave with love and prayers to someone whose spouse just filed for divorce.
I tucked XOXO with a gift card to someone whose child has just been diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
If you know those who needs the extra tight hug, the reminder that they’re not alone, something tangible that says Christ is with them..and so are you…you can grab a pack here.
Just so you know… we printed a limited quantity.
Even if you don’t pick up these particular cards as an expression of loving care, will you be the Christ this holiday season?
Will you come alongside the bruised and brokenhearted? The devastated and the disappointed? The angsty and the angry?
Will you enter their pain with the love of Christ?
May we be the bearers of Christ this holiday season.
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I don’t know what this is headed towards.
I love these thoughtful cards. Simple words say so much. It’s easy to forget that. Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
Great cards. Helpful. Thoughtful. Yes, it is so hard to let people know what we need when we are hurting. It’s great to know people are loving us. Thanks for helping us know how we can help others. Praying for you.
You amaze me, Margaret, as you continue to come up with new ways to say “I love you,” and “God loves you.” You are truly a gift to all in these times of anxiety, fear, and loneliness. Thank you for sharing your heart.
I am so inspired by your faithful words. I love to help people when I can. Money is so tight right now. I am so honored to listen to your words of inspiration. Thank you for sharing your heart with all of us. Their are no words to describe how much this means to you. I hope more people are inspired and make a difference. I will buy these soon just not right now. I hope you understand. God loves you and will give you the confidence in yourself to flourish. Love you
Thank you for giving me this kind insight!
Oh Margaret. This blog so speaks deeply to my bleeding soul. I understand. I am there. I have chronic pain, and people do forget, the church can turn on your back during these times. I know the pain, that searing pain. I also have friend who are suffering immensely as well–so I will send some of these out. Thank you for dedicating a beautiful blog to the brokenhearted. I so appreciate it among the so many others in pain, have cancer, etc…
Thank you! I really needed to read this today. The loss of my husband after 32 years is a tough road. But I am not suffering alone and others are hurting too so I ask the Lord to show me others that need a kind word.
Thank you, Sheila!
this is soooo good my brother lost his wife of 72 years and i know he is hurting!
Thank you, Laura!
You are too sweet, Jerry!
Thank you, Nicole.
I hear you, sweet Sylvia. Prayers for you along your journey. Hugs!
That is so sweet of you to be thinking of others even in the midst of your own pain. Huge hug to you, Jan!