The Holidays: Not an Awesome Time for Everyone
by Sue Ellen Ferguson and Ricky Zeznanski
October, November and December. The fall weather, crisp cool mornings, leaves falling, the smell of smoking chimneys and pumpkin spice everything. Excitement for the holidays is in the air. Most people are planning and looking forward to spending time with family and loved ones. It’s the favorite time of year for a lot of people. It’s nice to enjoy great meals together, remember good times from the past and exchange gifts—it’s all part of the wonderful holiday season.
But for some, this time of year is very difficult. As recovery ministers, we have noticed the holiday season is hard for people in recovery, and a time they are most susceptible to relapse. A lot of them are estranged from family due to their addiction, and they’re not looking forward to seeing family members face-to-face. It’s understandable that some families have lost trust in them.
Only Jesus Christ can restore these relationships, and it takes time. We have also learned to be extra diligent in watching for those who need encouragement, support and the love of Christ. Someone who is recently divorced or has lost a loved one are among those who need Christian fellowship and encouragement. Matthew 25:40 says, The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
There are men and women in prison whose family members have given up on them. They desperately need our prayers. It is our privilege as Christ followers to come along side and pray for as many as we can. I have friends who invite someone to their home every year who is alone. There are lots of ways to get involved in ministry like this, but the best way is prayer. Lots of prayer. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Council Road’s Celebrate Recovery will meet EVERY Friday evening throughout the holidays. Come join us for dinner at 5:30. There is also a Community Remembrance Service in the Chapel on Tuesday, December 3, at 7 p.m. Grief recovery specialist Bob Willis will be facilitating the service. There are people who are feeling alone this holiday season. Will you be part of letting them know they are not alone? Show them the love of Jesus.
James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (ESV)
Author Bio:
Ricky Z has served on staff at Council Road for over a year assisting in the Recovery Ministries. He is also employed at Capstone Construction and speaks around the state at many of the prisons and jails.
Sue Ellen has served on staff at Council Road for twenty years in a variety of roles including the Student and College Ministry, Women’s Ministry and now the Recovery Ministry. She speaks all over the state showing her antique hat collection that ties into an inspirational message asking how you balance the hats you wear.