Grief into Gratitude: Finding Comfort and Joy this Holiday Season (Free Holiday Digital Wallpaper)
As I think back to last year’s holiday season, one word comes to mind: hard. The season feels like a blur, and I now realize I was consumed by grief and uncertainty. Even though I was newly married and jumping into exciting opportunities with The Lovely Letter Co.—gaining momentum and exploring new possibilities—the weight of loss, change and instability seemed to cloud everything.
I was living in a world I didn’t choose—broken relationships, shifting friendships, and cherished traditions that no longer fit. Nothing felt familiar. Every attempt to recreate what once was only magnified the emptiness I was trying so hard to ignore. My home didn’t feel like home. My job was overwhelming. And the holiday season brought me more anxiety than excitement.
Maybe you’ve been here - Feeling stuck in a place where the things that once brought comfort no longer do. Or feeling like you can’t catch a break.. You try to keep going, to make things feel normal, but deep down, the grief and uncertainty weigh heavier than you’d like to admit. That’s where I was. Quietly questioning God, asking: Haven’t I suffered enough?
But somehow, even in the tension and frustration, I pressed on. And while I didn’t always see it at the time, the Lord met me there.
Our first Thanksgiving together without a working oven? My husband convinced me we could still cook an entire meal—and somehow, we did. A home that didn’t feel like mine? Over the holiday break, I found the courage to start making it ours. I spent time organizing closets and doing my best to make things homier on a tight budget. My job, though still challenging after the holidays, became a space where I started to sense God calling me to something new.
While some of the things I struggled with last year have been resolved, much has been added to the list of uncertainties. In fact, my list keeps growing—uncertainty about the future, about finances, about relationships, about where God is leading me (and my husband!) next. I’m still in the process of healing and learning how to trust God in the middle of the mess.
So what has changed? Gratitude.
This year feels different. The grief that once felt like it was holding me back was, in reality, part of my process. It has shaped me, softened me, and is leading me to a place of gratitude. It’s changing my perspective on my reality.
So, this Thanksgiving, even with the oven still broken, I embraced the challenge of cooking each dish with joy. I didn’t feel the need to cling to the past or recreate what was. Instead, I leaned into the present, accepting this season for what it is—a season filled with newness, growth, and grace. (And in case you’re wondering, yes, we actually cooked all the casseroles and it was delicious!)
This last year hasn’t been perfect. There have been plenty of moments of whining and frustration—just ask my husband! But through it all, I didn’t give up. God met me in my tears, my questions, and even my doubts. And only recently, I’ve realized what He was saying to me all along:
"My daughter, I know you don’t understand right now, but just wait. I’m here. My good is good—it’s never less than that. Trust Me, because what’s waiting for you is beyond what you could imagine."
Those words carried me then, even when I didn’t recognize them, and they carry me now.
When I think about this holiday season, I’m reminded of the comfort and joy found in Jesus. He is the thread weaving my story together, the ultimate comfort and the fullness of goodness. His presence isn’t just reserved for Christmas Day—it’s available right now, in every quiet and ordinary moment.
My hope for you this season is that you’ll rest in this truth.
Jesus is the ultimate comfort and joy. He is good.
His portion of grace and peace is available, even in the midst of change, messiness, and uncertainty. I created this wallpaper as a personal reminder of this truth, and I pray it encourages you as well—keeping your heart centered on the comfort and goodness of Jesus throughout this holiday season.
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