I promised God that I would give Him glory for everything He’s done in me and through me since my husband’s death. Friends, apart from Him…I’d be a mess. And, if I’m being completely transparent (why stop now…right?)…it’s possible I may not even still be here without God’s abundant mercy and grace. Now, don’t get me wrong…I’ve never had suicidal thoughts or anything of the sort since my own husband’s suicide 5 months ago. But, honestly…I can’t say that apart from Christ I would have the same assurance. I shutter to think…

This journey has been excruciatingly painful. There have been days I didn’t want to crawl out of bed. There were many nights in those early days that I slept on the couch…I just couldn’t go back to “our bed” without my Chris beside me. I cried and cried and cried until there was nothing left in me. And then…the gutteral cries would begin again.

But, all throughout the pain and the torment of grief…I kept praying…

This is YOUR story to tell, Lord. This isn’t about me at all. This is about You, precious Lord. It’s all about what You’ve done through me, what You’re doing through me, and what You will do through me. And…it’s all for Your glory!

I agreed to walk through any door that God would open where He wants His story told…whether it be just tiny snippets or the full-blown ordeal. I’ll do whatever He asks me to do and go wherever He wants me to go.

And so it begins…

Within one week, I’ve shared snippets of His Story on two different radio programs. One will be broadcast later this month via Encouragement Cafe Radio, so I’ll let you know more at a later date. The other? Yesterday morning during the first day of our annual Sharathon at the radio station where I work 106.9 the Light (WMIT). Here’s the audio if you’d like to take a listen. My voice is shaky (I was fighting back the tears big time), but I think you’ll get the jist. It’s short…I promise!

To Him be all the glory!

OK…you already know about the Chris Tree project I’m undertaking this year. If you don’t…please, read about it HERE. Now, I have another idea. I know…I know…you’re probably thinking, “What now?” Bear with me just for a moment…

As I noted when I announced my Chris Tree project, the Christmas season was always Chris’ favorite of the year. This is no understatement, friends. He loved celebrating Christ’s birth and would search for ways throughout the year to bring more and more emphasis to the season in our home. It’s a good thing God put the two of us together to begin with, because I’m a bit of a Christmas nut myself. However, one of my favorite things to do at Christmas is to send out Christmas cards (and, if I’m totally being honest…I love finding my mailbox full of them too!). I spend a lot of time preparing my Christmas cards each year, and I want to always include as many people as I can. I know that postage isn’t cheap anymore, but it’s still one thing I love to do non-electronically. There’s just something to be said about getting an old-fashioned card in the mail (anytime of the year, for that matter).

So, what does this have to do with you? I would love to be able to include as many of you on my Christmas card list as possible this year. Would you let me send you a card? It would bless my socks off! If so, please just email me your mailing address: [email protected], or if we’re Facebook or Twitter buddies, you can send it to me via Direct Message in either of those two places.

I know this might be a strange request, but I’m just doing anything and everything I can to be excited about this first Christmas without my sweet love by my side. Having little things like this to work on and be excited about really helps! Be blessed bloggy friends! You bring me joy!

UPDATE: I wanted to let you know that I think my next VLOG will be posted again on Sunday, and it will have the answers to the questions I received in my giveaway post from last Saturday. So stay tuned…I can’t wait to answer your VERY GOOD and thought-provoking questions.