When we think of grief, the first emotion that often comes to mind is sadness. And while sadness is certainly part of the journey, it is far from the whole picture. Grief is not a single note—it is a symphony of emotions, layered and complex, rising and falling in ways that can take us by surprise.

A new year can feel like an unspoken expectation—to be stronger, to do better, to move on. But grief does not follow the calendar.

In just a couple of days, families will gather around tables filled with food, laughter, and stories. Yet for many, this week feels different. There’s an empty place where a loved one once sat — a silence that speaks louder than any words.

Friends, every year around this time, I’m reminded how the holidays can stir both joy and heartache. When the holidays feel heavy, all I can think about is how many of us will miss our loved ones on Thanksgiving and the empty chair facing us.

The Thanksgiving season invites us to count our blessings, to reflect on God’s goodness, and to gather with those we love. But when grief is part of our story, these traditions can feel bittersweet. How do we give thanks when our hearts are broken?

For many, this is a time of joy and connection. But for those who are grieving, the holidays can be overwhelming and feel like a season we quietly brace ourselves for.

Have you ever found yourself asking questions you never thought you’d ask? Questions that seem to echo into silence—like “Why, Lord?” or “How am I supposed to go on?” The questions grief brings has a way of opening our hearts to things we never imagined needing to ask. I’m currently reading the book, The Girl on the Bathroom Floor . It’s the heartbreaking story of the Smith family who lost their 3-year-old boy in a drowning accident. Amber Smith writes with such a profound gu

Grief has a way of narrowing our vision. In the midst of loss, it can feel as though the world has been drained of color, leaving only shades of sorrow. Ordinary moments that once brought delight may now feel hollow, and the weight of absence overshadows everything else. Yet even in the valley of sorrow, God offers us glimpses of beauty—the power of small joys in grief that whisper hope into our hurting hearts. I remember days when getting out of bed felt like an impossible t

When the loss of someone we love turns our world upside down, and when our faith feels fragile, grief has a way of shaking us at the core. We may find ourselves asking questions we never imagined we’d ask: Where are You, God? Why did this happen? How do I go on from here?

Time does not erase the ache of losing a child—it only teaches us how to carry it differently. Yet even in the darkest seasons, I have seen how God begins to move a heart from sorrow to strength, gently leading us toward hope we never thought possible.

When we think of all the emotions that come with grief the first one that often comes to mind is sadness. And while sadness is certainly part of the journey, it is far from the whole picture. Grief is more than one emotion.

Your grief is personal. Your love is sacred. Follow your heart and grieve with grace and courage. Your heart knows the way.

When we face the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or another life-altering event, our world is turned upside down.

Secondary losses are the additional effects of a primary loss. When we experience grief, these secondary losses can blindside us. We may expect to mourn the death of our loved one, but the way that grief expands—touching every aspect of life—can be unexpected and overwhelming.

Our grief is not linear. Some days, we feel overwhelmed by sadness; other days, we can laugh, smile, and find happiness in the smallest moments.

When we are experiencing sorrow due to loss it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We may question our strength, doubt our purpose, or even feel abandoned by God. But it is precisely in these moments that we are brought face to face with our deepest vulnerabilities.

we may feel emotionally overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply unable to engage in the usual routines of social interaction. Grief can be incredibly draining, and it’s not unusual for us to retreat inward as we process our loss. The isolation of grief can come from a place of self-protection – when we are deep in our sorrow, we may feel vulnerable, fear being a burden, and struggle with the intensity of our emotions.

We read a lot about the many emotions that accompany grief, yet we don’t always talk much about anticipatory grief. Although anticipatory grief is the overwhelming feeling of sadness and loss before a loved one passes away, I have also found we can experience anticipatory grief after our loved one runs ahead to Heaven.