Uncompromised

Blue Christmas: Hope for the Hurting During the Holidays The holiday season is here—twinkling lights, cheerful music, and the hustle and bustle of family gatherings. But for some of us, this time of year can feel heavy. Grief, loss, and loneliness may seem more intense against the backdrop of festive cheer. I get it. The world seems to expect joy and togetherness, but what if you’re not feeling that way? Maybe you’re missing someone deeply, especially at Christmastime. For me, it’s my mom. I miss her more than words can express. For others, it might be the loss of a spouse, a close friend, a child, or even a dream. We all carry different burdens, but they often feel heavier when everyone around us is celebrating. The Meaning Behind Blue Christmas:  You might have heard the term "Blue Christmas" before. For many, it brings to mind the classic Elvis Presley song about missing someone during the holidays. For others, Blue Christmas has come to symbolize the grief and sorrow that...

As the holidays approach, I’ve noticed many posts from dear friends who are missing loved ones—and I’m one of them too. Grief is such a strange thing. It looks different for everyone, comes in waves, and evolves over time. I still remember when my husband buried his mother on December 22nd and then led worship for every Christmas Eve service just days later. With a steadfast heart, he encouraged, loved, and led the congregation to worship Jesus with their whole hearts. That’s what it means to truly belong to the Lord. Anyone else might have been overcome with sorrow, but he stood firm because his eyes were fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). This is my second Christmas without my mom, and some days are just plain hard. Even though I know I’ll see her again one day because of the promise we have in Christ, it still hurts. I miss the simple things—calling her to share something silly, asking for her prayers, or just hearing her voice as we talked about l...

  Over the past two months, my life has been a journey of sorting, packing, and letting go. It all began when I was tasked with emptying my mother's house after she passed suddenly, a difficult time of reflection. As I returned to my new home, town, and state, I was reminded of the verse from Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Embracing this new season, I realized it was not just about physical changes, but also about a spiritual transformation. In the process of sorting through belongings, I began to meditate on the need for inner sorting as well. As believers, we are called to release the burdens that weigh us down and keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's grace. Philippians 3:13-14 encouraged me, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining t...