Courage to Grieve with Hope

By Charity Rios

God's Brave Women - Charity's Story

It should have been the worst Christmas, only 2 months after my Dad committed suicide.

I expected to turn around and see his orange stocking cap or hear his off-key voice unashamedly bellowing “Joy to the World” at the Christmas Eve service. We’d gather around the family Advent wreath as he read Scripture passages.

Before my Dad died, I had been going with a group from my church every Saturday morning to spread love and give Bible lessons to kids living in low-income housing.

“Let’s buy all the kids clothes for Christmas!” Sarah, my friend who had been going with me on Saturdays, suggested. Never one to say no to a slightly outrageous but clearly God inspired plan, I was in. Sarah and I sought donations from our friends, and we went to Old Navy for the biggest shopping spree of our lives. Mountains of clothes filled Sarah’s living room, and we devoted a whole day to sorting and wrapping.

I witnessed 150 kids’ faces smile with the hope as they were remembered by a Father God who loves them perfectly. Kids, many of whom didn’t know their fathers, experienced the love of their perfect Father.

"I was the fatherless serving the fatherless. Handing out packages of brightly colored hope to remind us there is a thrill of hope to discover this season. His name is Jesus."

I was the fatherless serving the fatherless. Handing out packages of brightly colored hope to remind us there is a thrill of hope to discover this season. His name is Jesus. He came and made a way for us to be in communion with the Perfect Father. We are no longer called orphans but Sons and Daughters of a most High King.