Overcoming Christmas Loneliness

Have you ever felt alone in a crowded place? I remember one night being unintentionally separated from my family at a downtown Christmas tree lighting. There were hundreds of people everywhere... smiling, taking pictures with the sparkles of Christmas lights shining through their eyes...Merry music rang throughout the streets & sidewalks... while I waited and looked for my husband for what felt like forever. With no battery life in my phone to call him, my heart sank and I began to feel not just lost, but sad. In time, we were reunited...but I never forgot that feeling of being alone & lost in a crowd of merry people.

This holiday season, I believe that every day we encounter people who are not just experiencing a moment of loneliness, but a lifestyle. And no matter what season of life you’re in, we all have something that we’re believing to see change. Many people are lost, and really struggling with dark feelings and circumstances. Maybe you’re feeling that way this holiday season, and this year has sent unexpected blow after blow and you’re just ready for it all to be over. I remember feeling like that in 2018, and even spoke with someone today who is feeling that way as they grieve the loss of several loved ones a few weeks apart. It’s so important to acknowledge that not everyone feels happy this season.

Life is hard, and it’s okay not to feel merry by default this Christmas.

We all experiencing real life, real emotions and real disappointments. My encouragement to you is to take time to process your emotions. Don’t and find something to be thankful for.

If you’re it’s up to us to give our attention, encouragement and kindness to those around us. When we take the time to look up & speak up, we can make a difference in someone’s life. Ultimately, placing hope and trust in Jesus helps to bring light to those dark places.

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This week, my church is putting on a Christmas production that creates an environment where you can not only experience a spectacular show, but find a place to belong. So if you’re reading this, you’re invited! The shows are Wednesday - Sunday and are FREE for everyone. And if you’re out of state (Hey Texas!) you can host a watch party with your family to view together at home one night! Visit Christmas.victory.com or watch on YouTube. Our family will be attending and serving throughout the week, so let me know when you’re coming.

Most importantly, I want to encourage you: don’t spend the holidays alone. Don’t let those negative thoughts and emotions take over. Take some time to have fun, laugh, be a blessing to someone else, get around positive people and uplifting environments. Interrupt the darkness with light.

Wholeheartedly,

Emonne Markland

Celebrating 10 Years Cancer Free

10 years ago on April 17, 2007,  I went through a major surgery to rid my body of cancer. I was 20 years old and had no idea how sick I was until coughing up blood in my dorm on Easter Sunday. (You can watch my story here.) After my parents traveled to Tulsa to take me back home to Dallas, I underwent one of the most difficult weeks of my life. Prior to the surgery, the enemy threw punch after punch to knock me down. Then the day of my surgery came and I was wheeled into the surgery room. All of the bright hospital lights & shiny silver knives on the table next to me. I asked if I could keep my bible with me on the table and the doctor agreed. 

After the surgery, I woke up to an unquenchable thirst...and quickly realized that I couldn't talk to tell the nurse I needed water. That was rough. She finally came over and gave me some ice cubes. (Thanks a lot. Lol) But that was all I could take. I spent the next few days in the hospital with these massage boots on my legs to keep my circulation flowing. I couldn't walk, talk, eat or drink. They basically shut my body down in order to remove half of my left lung to get rid of the malignant (cancer) mass and all the surrounding lymph nodes. I started practicing walking down the hall arm and arm with my dad a few days later. The nurse said if I could walk down the hall and to the windows and back, then I could go home. With my goal in mind, I practiced and prayed and gathered my strength to make it overtime. Finally, I was discharged and wheeled down to the hospital exit. I'll never forget the sound of the birds singing outside as my dad pulled up his SUV to take me home. I cry just thinking about that.... 

“God has a way of turning our place of pain into our place of rejoicing.”

— Emonne Markland

April has a special place in my heart. As does Easter. It was in this month that I suffered and recovered a disease that kills lives everyday. For whatever reason, God drew a bloodline around me and wouldn't let me die at 20. Then fast forward two years later, April 2009, I got married to the love of my life. Someone I didn't even deserve. Who had prayed for me and believed for my healing when I overlooked him for years. Fast forward to April 2011, Easter Sunday, I was in labor with my baby girl and gave birth on the following day, April 25. And now here I am, April 17, 2017, 30 years old and pregnant with my baby boy.

God has a way of turning our place of pain into our place of rejoicing. I pray that my story brings you encouragement to believe that the same hand that allows pain and suffering is faithful to bring joy and healing. IN THE SAME PLACE!

To God be the glory for reminding me yet again that He is the Resurrection and the Life. He will always give us beauty for ashes. The oil of joy for morning. And the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. The same God that did it for me, will do it for you.

Emonne Markland

Leave Your Beauty Mark