A Prayer for the Holiday Outing That Was Miserable

For when things just don't go as we desire them to

I remember looking at my husband with a smile that was cringing from every part of my being. We were a new family of four and tried our very best to get out and experience a holiday evening with our two boys in anticipation of Christmas coming up. To summarize that evening plainly—it went horribly.

We decided on that cold, December, night in true Nashville, TN spirit, to go experience the Christmas lights at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The lights were spectacular. The kid-friendly events were crazy and fun. The tight feeling I get in my stomach though, while thinking of the memory, says it all. The overstimulating mixture of lights, crowds, sounds, and tired toddlers made the beauty of the Christmas lights we saw and experiences we tried to capture pale in comparison of the exhaustion of trying and leaving disappointed and defeated.

Sometimes, a holiday experience just doesn’t turn out the way we hoped it would.

---

Photo by HJ S on Unsplash

---

So, here is a prayer for the one that loves others and desires to invite them into joy-filled experiences that sometimes, don’t unfold the way we hoped.

I see the way you deeply care.

I see the effort you put into planning.

I see the disappointment you are holding.

This is a prayer, dear one, that I’ve written as one that I imagine the Trinity is praying over you.

Take a breath—you are not alone.

---

A Prayer for the Holiday Outing that was Miserable

Oh my sweet child, I see you sitting there, tears filling your eyes and disappointment spilling out all around you.

You don’t have to hold it together around me.

I know this was a holiday experience that meant so much to you, and you held such a genuine desire to invite others into your joy.

You care deeply, I created that beautiful part of you.

You intentionally planned—the unseen details to the world are not lost to me.

I see the way the experience unfolded and how it looks so very different than what you’d hoped and planned for.

I know you still tried to rally and create an experience to remember.

I see the way it all fell apart.

I see the disappointment you tried to hide.

I see the ache in your heart for what could have been.

---

Take a breath, my dear child.

Your efforts of trying are held in my knowing, but your body can take the deep exhale it needs.

Your disappointment and defeat is real—I’m holding it tenderly in my hands.

As you’re being gently wrapped in me, amidst your sadness, I invite you to rest in the knowing that my joy is far grander than what a holiday experience provides.

It isn’t always flashy.

It isn’t always picture-worthy.

My joy is complete—it will fill to the brim.

It’s often found in the smallest of ways.

In the sparkle of light that dances in a loved one’s eyes.

In the twirl of your daughter’s dress.

In the smell of freshly bakes cookies.

In the long hug of a friend.

There is joy all around you, dear one.

It may not be the most Instagram-worthy picture—but it is there.

Let’s notice it together.

Let’s invite others to gaze on its beauty.

Let’s together, laugh at the mishaps, cry at the losses, and hold hope for what I’m doing in your life.

You are a precious treasure, of which I’m delighting in this Christmas.

May you remember that I’m always holding you.

May you hold fast to what you know is true about me.

May you kindly remind yourself that I’m never far.

Amen.

---

---

In lieu of offering paid subscriptions, I ask that you consider supporting the work our family is doing as we travel the U.S. full-time launching The Welcome Movement-a collective movement where immigrant and refugee communities experience healing, refuge, and belonging. Click the logo below if you want to donate/learn more about our ministry. If you prefer to just buy me coffee in support of my writing you can also do that below!