Revisiting the 2018 Christmas story of a grieving dad who learns about Heaven from his little girl. Hey, friends! Thanks for taking this journey with me as we reflect on my past Christmas stories. This year's story is still to come. Stay tuned, and thanks for reading! I’ll Be Home for Christmas I hid in …
Tag: hope
“A Broken Christmas Bulb”
Revisiting the 2016 Christmas story of a mom struggling with loss and brokenness. It's that time of year, friends! Before I reveal this year's Christmas story, I thought I'd go back to revisit a few others I've written. Enjoy! And stay tuned for more...and this year's story! A Broken Christmas Bulb After my husband Ted …
When Christmas Hurts
If you're struggling with tragedy or loss during this time of year when most seem joyful, I pray this older post brings you comfort and reminds you of the hope that is yours. https://joeyrudder.com/2021/12/23/when-christmas-hurts/?page_id=757
“The Thanksgiving Table” – a fictional story
The Thanksgiving Table As I started the coffee early Thanksgiving morning, I remembered this day last year when Mom had relinquished the meal to me. It had been a morning much like this one – the house quiet, the view from the window dark with only a sliver of light emerging on the horizon. I’d …
Continue reading “The Thanksgiving Table” – a fictional story
Discouragement is a Prison
Discouragement is a powerful tool the enemy uses to keep you down. It becomes a prison filled with lies: You're never going to make it. You're not good enough. You're not smart enough. You can't do this. Why don't you give up already? You're going to make a fool out of yourself. You're a fraud. …
Calming the Waves of Grief
Over the past nine months, I've learned grief can come in gentle waves, lapping at my toes and tricking me into thinking, "I can do this. This isn't so bad." Other times, the waves hit me so hard that they knocked me down, threatening to drown me. Sometimes, I even wished they would. I carried …
When God Trains You in the Dark
When darkness closes in, will you still trust God? When Satan presses in so close that his lies become a constant torment, will you still believe God cares for you? When God trains you in the dark, He is teaching you to listen for His voice, to allow Him to guide your steps when you …
God Knows Our Hearts
With dirt caked under my nails from working in the garden, I answered my sister-in-law's phone call and walked around our backyard while we talked. Suddenly, a butterfly floated in front of my face and around my head, its wings grazing my forehead. It landed on my right hand, the same hand I used to …
Radiant
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8 NIV. If you do nothing but stare at the ugliness of the world, you can get tunnel vision that sucks you …
Grief
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they WILL be comforted." Matthew 5:4 NIV, emphasis my own. When you have to let go of a loved one, grief can seem like a consuming rain. It's all you think about. It's all you know. You slip out of bed in the morning to find your feet are …
Joey Rudder 