everything is going to be alright (Holiday Season)
Everything is going to be alright.
by Tanner Olson
writtentospeak.com
“Hey Tanner, I’m having a hard season. I don’t know what I need to hear, but I know I need to hear something. Maybe just tell us what you’re telling yourself this holiday season? That might be what I need to hear. ” - Message sent in anonymously
Grief doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas.
Hurt doesn’t disappear because it’s the most wonderful time of year.
Depression and loneliness and anxiety don’t end when we count down from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . .
As Christmas arrives and the year comes to a close, here is the truth I am reminding myself:
God is with us.
Emmanuel.
Out of love our Hope came to us.
And hope doesn’t mean the heaviness or questions or pain disappears.
Hope does not dismiss how we feel, it comforts.
But hope reminds us we are not alone.
Hope reminds us we are not a burden.
Hope reminds us we are seen and invited.
The beautiful thing about Hope is that it invites you to bring your full self forward.
Hope makes room for your grief and hurt and wondering.
Hope shines a light on the darkness and tells us everything is going to be alright.
God is with us.
Everything is going to be alright.
With hope,
Tanner Olson
@writtentospeak
About the Author
Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.
He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.
You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.
His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.
Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.
You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.
Tanner Olson wearing a Written to Wear t-shirt. grab one here: writtentowear.com
A prayer for Florida as Hurricane Ian arrives.