This topic generally comes up once a year on this list.  Let's face it:  hoildays can be a big adjustment after a divorce, especially if the holidays were spent at the in-laws. 

When my ex-husband and I were married, we lived in a big city, a thousand miles away from my family. Unless my parents sent us plane tickets so we could join them, we were alone.  Our church population was quite transient...as in it had many displaced Yankees who did not have family around.  I love to cook, but its no fun cooking for just one or two.  So, what we did was that we sought out folks who were alone for T-day (or Christmas) and invited them over to our house (or apartment before we moved) for a big dinner.  Our house was always full of folks...I guess the "misfits". 

That being said, are you finding yourself alone this year for the holidays?  Here are some things to do:

• Seek out those who you know will also be alone and plan on some sort of get together. 
• Many homeless shelters, churches or city missions have meals for the homeless and destitute....find out where these are and volunteer to serve others.  Reaching out to those less fortunate is a good reminder of God's blessings.
• If you like to cook and have the resources...cook!  Go out and find those who never get invited and invite away.  If you know some single moms who are not around family, either invite them or take dinner to them.  You know how much of a blessing that will be.
• Sign up for a short-term mission project during the holdiays.  Many denominations offer a plethora of short-term experiences. 
• "Adopt" an elderly couple or widow or widower whose family is not around....take them dinner, invite them over, run errands...and just spend time with them.
• Volunteer at the humane society.  After all, these little critters need to eat on holidays as well. 
• Enjoy the time alone to "catch up" on some reading, organizing, resting, or spending time with your Father.  But, be careful not to turn it into a pity party!  No pity parties allowed.

The more time you spend reaching outward to others means that you have less time to spend looking inward to your own troubles.  Remember that:  this, too, shall pass! 

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