💜 Agape Love Daily Grief Support Devotional Wednesday, November 4, 2026🌷 There Is Still Love Around the Empty Chair

💜 Agape Love Daily Grief Support Devotional

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

🌷 There Is Still Love Around the Empty Chair

When Family Gatherings Bring Both Gratitude and Heartache

📖 Today's Scripture — KJV

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." — Psalm 34:18

☕ Good Morning, Sweet Friends!

As I sit here this morning with my cup of coffee, thanking the Lord for another day, my thoughts have turned toward the upcoming holidays.

Here we are, already in November.

Before long, families will be gathering around Thanksgiving tables, sharing meals, telling stories, and preparing for Christmas.

For many people, this is a season filled with excitement.

But for those of us who are grieving, it can also be one of the most difficult times of the year.

Because sometimes, the very traditions that once brought us so much joy now remind us of someone precious who is missing.

An empty chair.

A favorite dish.

A familiar song.

A family photograph.

Or a tradition that just doesn't feel the same without them.

And suddenly, in the middle of a room filled with people, we feel the ache of someone who should be there.

Oh, sweet friends, I understand that feeling.

And today, I want to remind you of something.

The empty chair reminds us of someone we miss, but it also reminds us of a love that will always be part of our family.

💜 The Holidays After Losing Someone You Love

Seven years ago, I received the heartbreaking news that my youngest son, Michael, had been murdered.

He was only 23 years old.

And although seven years have passed, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my precious boy.

When the holidays approach, I find myself remembering the years when our family gatherings looked different.

The laughter.

The conversations.

The meals.

The little things that made those moments special.

I think about the holidays Michael was here.

And I think about all the holidays that have passed since he was taken from us.

I wonder what life would look like today if he were still here.

What stories would he have to tell?

What would he be doing?

How would our family gatherings be different?

And sometimes, I simply wish I could hear his voice one more time.

I know many of you understand.

Maybe you're facing your first Thanksgiving without your husband.

Maybe your mother always prepared the family meal, and now the kitchen feels strangely quiet.

Maybe your father always sat at the head of the table.

Maybe your child was the one who brought laughter and excitement into the room.

Or perhaps your loved one has been gone for many years, but their absence still feels especially noticeable during the holidays.

Sweet friend, you are not wrong for missing them, no matter how much time has passed.

🌿 When Everyone Else Is Celebrating

One of the hardest parts of grief during the holidays is feeling as though we are supposed to be happy all the time.

We see decorations.

We hear cheerful music.

We receive invitations.

We watch families making plans.

And sometimes we feel guilty because our hearts aren't as excited as everyone else's.

Maybe you want to celebrate, but you also want to cry.

Maybe you enjoy being with your family, but you need a few minutes alone.

Maybe you love Thanksgiving, but the thought of preparing the meal without someone precious feels overwhelming.

And perhaps you feel pressure to make everything exactly the way it used to be.

But I want to encourage you today.

You do not have to pretend that the holidays are easy just because everyone else is celebrating.

You can be thankful and still be grieving.

You can enjoy a family gathering and still miss someone.

You can smile at a beautiful memory and cry a few moments later.

Those feelings can exist together.

And you don't have to apologize for them.

✝️ God Is Near to the Brokenhearted

Psalm 34:18 tells us:

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

What a precious reminder.

The Lord is near to those whose hearts are broken.

Not just on ordinary days.

Not just when we're sitting quietly in prayer.

But also when we're surrounded by family and suddenly feel overwhelmed.

He's near when we look at the empty chair.

He's near when we prepare a recipe that reminds us of someone we love.

He's near when we hear a familiar song.

And He's near when we step away from the gathering because we need a moment to cry.

Sometimes we think we have to hide our sorrow from God.

But He already knows.

He knows the memories.

He knows the longing.

He knows the tears.

And He understands the love that remains.

You don't have to hide your grief from the One who knows your heart.

🌷 You Can Change the Traditions

I want to share something that may help someone today.

You do not have to celebrate the holidays exactly as you did before your loss.

Sometimes we feel obligated to keep every tradition.

We think we have to prepare the same meal.

Decorate the same way.

Invite the same people.

And do everything just as we always have.

But grief changes our lives.

And sometimes our traditions need to change, too.

Perhaps this year you'll have a smaller gathering.

Perhaps you'll ask someone else to prepare the meal.

Perhaps you'll go somewhere different.

Perhaps you'll keep one special tradition and let another one go.

Or perhaps you'll decide to create a new tradition in memory of your loved one.

There is no single right way to do this.

What matters is finding something meaningful and manageable for you and your family.

And remember, what feels right this year may be different next year.

That's okay.

Give yourself grace.

🕊️ A Place for Their Memory

One thing I love about remembering our precious family members is that there are so many meaningful ways to honor them.

Maybe you'll prepare their favorite dish.

Maybe you'll place a photograph somewhere special.

Maybe you'll share a funny story about them during dinner.

Maybe you'll light a candle in their memory.

Maybe you'll make a donation to a cause they cared about.

Or perhaps you'll simply take a quiet moment to thank God for the years you shared.

Some families find comfort in leaving an empty chair.

Others find that too painful.

Some enjoy talking openly about their loved ones during gatherings.

Others prefer a private moment of remembrance.

Neither choice makes your love greater or smaller.

You do not have to prove your love through a particular tradition.

Your love is already real.

And your loved one's place in your heart does not depend on how you choose to remember them.

🍂 Give Your Family Permission to Grieve Differently

Something else I want to encourage you about today is understanding that everyone in the family may grieve differently.

One person may want to talk about the loved one who is missing.

Another may find it difficult.

One person may want to keep every tradition.

Another may want to change everything.

One person may cry openly.

Another may become quiet.

And sometimes those differences can lead to misunderstandings.

But sweet friends, let's remember to show one another grace.

We can ask questions.

We can listen.

We can make room for different feelings.

And we can recognize that everyone is trying to find their way through a season that may be especially difficult.

Romans 12:15 tells us:

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."

What a beautiful instruction.

Sometimes love means celebrating with someone.

And sometimes love means sitting beside them while they cry.

During the holidays, we may need to do both.

💜 A Special Word to Grieving Parents

I want to speak directly to the mothers and fathers who are missing a child.

I know that the holidays can bring a particular kind of heartache.

We remember the excitement of past celebrations.

We remember the gifts.

The meals.

The laughter.

The little traditions.

And we think about the years our children should have had ahead of them.

I think about my Michael.

And I know there will always be moments when I wish he were sitting with our family.

I wish I could hear him laugh.

I wish I could see his smile.

I wish I could tell him how much his Momma loves him.

But even though I cannot change what happened, I can continue honoring his memory.

I can speak his name.

I can share his stories.

I can treasure the 23 years I was blessed to have him.

And I can continue loving the family God has given me.

Sweet Momma, sweet Daddy, you do not have to stop being your child's parent simply because your child is no longer physically here.

That love remains.

And you deserve tenderness as you face another holiday season.

🌸 Don't Let Tomorrow's Worries Steal Today's Peace

Sometimes the anticipation of the holidays can feel harder than the holidays themselves.

We begin worrying weeks in advance.

How will I handle Thanksgiving?

What if I cry?

What if someone mentions their name?

What if nobody mentions their name?

What if I can't make it through the gathering?

And before we know it, we've spent days worrying about something that hasn't happened yet.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:34:

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

This doesn't mean we shouldn't make plans.

It means we don't have to carry every future worry all at once.

Today is Wednesday, November 4.

Thanksgiving is still ahead.

You have time to think about what you need.

You have time to talk with your family.

You have time to decide which traditions feel meaningful.

And you have time to ask God for wisdom and peace.

You do not have to face the entire holiday season today.

Just take one day at a time.

🌷 There Is Still Love Around the Table

I want to leave you with a beautiful thought this morning.

When we gather with family, we may notice the empty places.

And those empty places can hurt.

But perhaps we can also look around and recognize the love that remains.

The grandchildren who are growing.

The family members who are still here.

The friends who have become like family.

The people who need our encouragement.

The blessings God continues to place in our lives.

Enjoying those blessings does not mean forgetting the people we miss.

It means allowing our hearts to hold gratitude alongside sorrow.

I will always miss my Michael.

I will always wish he were here.

And I will always treasure the years I had with him.

But I also want to appreciate the people who are sitting around my table today.

I want to tell them I love them.

I want to make memories.

I want to laugh when something is funny.

And I want to thank God for the blessings He continues to give.

The empty chair may remind us of someone missing, but the love around the table reminds us that our lives still hold precious blessings.

🙏 Wednesday Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for waking us up to another beautiful morning.

Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, and Your unfailing love.

Lord, as we begin preparing our hearts for the holiday season, I lift up every grieving family.

For the mother who will be missing her child at Thanksgiving.

For the father who longs to hear his son or daughter's laughter.

For the widow who is facing another holiday without her husband.

For the husband who misses the companionship of his wife.

For the children who wish their parents were still here.

And for every family that will notice an empty place at the table.

Father, You know the names of those we love.

You know the memories we treasure.

You know the traditions that bring comfort.

And You know the moments when those same traditions bring tears.

Please help us walk through this season with grace.

Give us wisdom as we make plans.

Help us communicate with kindness.

Help us understand that everyone grieves differently.

And help us create space for both laughter and tears.

Lord, I thank You for my precious son, Michael.

Thank You for the 23 years I was blessed to be his Momma.

Thank You for every precious memory.

You know how deeply I miss him.

You know the holidays I wish we could still share.

And You know how much I long to hear his voice again.

Father, help me carry his memory with love.

Help me continue honoring his life.

Help me appreciate the family and friends still beside me.

And help me use my experiences to encourage others who are grieving.

Lord, I pray for those who are already dreading Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Please give them peace.

Help them know they don't have to make every decision today.

Surround them with compassionate people.

Give them courage to ask for help.

And remind them that You are near to the brokenhearted.

Thank You for Jesus Christ.

Thank You for the hope of eternal life through Him.

Thank You for Your promises.

And thank You for loving us through every season of life.

Help us walk by faith.

Help us treasure our memories.

Help us recognize today's blessings.

And help us trust You with the days ahead.

In Jesus' precious and holy Name,

Amen.

🌻 Today's Grief Support Challenge

One Gentle Step Toward the Holidays

Today, I want to encourage you to do three simple things.

💜 1. Think about one tradition that brings comfort.

Perhaps it's preparing a favorite recipe, sharing a story, or spending time with family.

🌷 2. Give yourself permission to change one thing.

If a tradition feels too overwhelming, remember that it's okay to do something different this year.

🕊️ 3. Talk with someone you trust.

Share your concerns about the upcoming holidays.

Let them know what might help you feel supported.

You don't have to make every decision alone.

💬 Let's Talk About It, Sweet Friends

As we begin November, I want to ask you something from the heart.

What is one holiday tradition that reminds you of someone you love and miss?

Perhaps it's a favorite Thanksgiving dish.

A Christmas song.

A special decoration.

A family gathering.

Or something your loved one always did that made the season special.

If you feel comfortable, share their name and the tradition you remember.

And if you're facing your first holiday season without someone precious, please know that you are welcome here.

You don't have to pretend you're okay.

You can simply leave a 💜 in the comments so we can lift you up in prayer.

Let's continue making this a place where grieving hearts can find comfort, understanding, and love.

🤍 Need Prayer or Grief Support?

If you're struggling with grief today, please remember that you don't have to walk this journey alone.

Our ministry would be honored to pray with you.

📩 agapeloveministry@outlook.com

If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or are in emotional crisis, please reach out for immediate support.

Call or text 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day in the United States.

💜 Agape Love Wednesday Reminder

There Is Still Love Around the Empty Chair

🌷 You can miss someone and still be thankful.

💜 You can honor old traditions or create new ones.

🕊️ You can experience both laughter and tears.

✝️ And you can trust that God is near to your broken heart.

"The empty chair reminds us of someone precious who is missing. But the love around the table reminds us that God is still giving us moments to treasure."

Have a beautiful and blessed Wednesday, sweet friends!

As you go through today, I pray the Lord gives you peace as you think about the holidays, comfort as you remember those you love, and gratitude for the blessings still surrounding you.

Agape Love MinistryServing Others Through Faith, Hope, and Love

💜 Anchored in Christ Through Loss💜 Hearts Held in Hope — Grief Support of Wilkes County

Remember, sweet friends, the empty chair may always hold a special place in your heart, but God's love will continue to surround you through every season. 💜