I thought
this would be an appropriate topic, especially with Thanksgiving and Christmas so
near. Many people feel especially lonely during the holidays. I’ve experienced loneliness
during the holidays on more than one occasion. One of my loneliest times was a Thanksgiving
after my divorce. As I sat home alone (because I had no family nearby), my ex-husband called to ask me if the kids
could stay longer. He was at his parent's house and had brought his girlfriend (now wife) there to meet his family. I said "yes", but after I hung up the phone, I just sat and cried and yes, felt very "alone". This used to be "my family". {This was a number of years ago, so I will tell you that I am now able to share this story with you, without any pain}.
It doesn’t
matter if you are married or single; I am learning that most people
experience times of loneliness. One of the books I am currently reading is
called, “When Women Walk Alone,”
written by Cindi McMennem. I would highly recommend this book for all women to
read! She shares stories about other women's experiences with feeling alone and lonely, what they did during those times, and how those times brought them into a deeper relationship with God. {Here is a
link for anyone interested in finding out more about it: Amazon Books}.
During this “season”
of my life, I believe God wants me to draw closer to Him, into a deeper, more
intimate relationship. One in which I learn to rely totally on Him for everything,
instead of relying on other people. I’ve realized I was placing marriage and my
boyfriend as “idols” in my life, and God's Word tells us we should not have any other idols before Him.
For a few
years after my divorce, I admit I was afraid of getting remarried because of
trust issues, but as time has passed, I have longed for that commitment again! I can honestly say I do not enjoy
the “dating scene”. But as years passed with “no ring” in sight, I’d grown restless
and resentful. So here I am, single again, and although loneliness comes, those
times are becoming shorter and less painful, and are replaced by the love and
peace I’m receiving from my Heavenly Father!
I thought it
might be helpful to find out what others do during their times of loneliness. So I
decided to ask family and friends to share with us what they do, and here are their responses:
“After
the death of my sweet loving husband, Dan, my bedroom could be the worst, loneliest
place in the world. Instead, it has become my refuge. My place that I pour out
in sobs my deepest hurt, fear, and pain to God. It is the place I rest and
listen for His response. The place I journal and receive much wisdom from His
Living Word, the Bible. It remains my refuge, my place where my deepest intimate
moments still happen. God is faithful to the lonely and desolate. Binding up
the broken hearted; returning beauty for ashes. Trust Him. He is Faithful and
has the sweetest things to say in lying down and first thing in the morning.” Liz
“One of my favorite songs in the world is “I’m
Alive” by Kenny Chesney with the Dave Matthews Band. The words are so simple,
yet pick me up and make me realize that there are "bigger" things in
life, and to be thankful for the blessings that I have, not for what I have
not. I have set this song on my alarm so I hear it every morning when I wake up
to get my day started. Lately, I've needed this...."I'm alive and well.
Today you know that's good enough for me. Breathing in and out's a blessing
can't you see. Today’s the first day of the rest of my life and I'm alive and
well." Kelly
“I pray that God will give me a sense of
peace that the hindsight someday will be obvious, that someday I will
understand.” Karolyn
“I always would tell myself, I am never
alone, God is watching over me and things will be the way they're supposed to
be in His Time not my time”. LeeAnn
“I've learned that loneliness is not
necessarily about absence, but of longing. When considering what I am longing
for, I need to look beyond the tangible and find the feeling that I desire”. Sue
Here are a couple of Bible verses for you to meditate on. I am praying that during this season, you too will find peace and comfort:
1 Peter 5:7
(Amplified Bible), “Casting the whole
of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns], [once
and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
1 Peter 5:10
(Amplified Bible), “And after you have suffered a little
while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has
called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and
strengthen, and settle you.”
Cheryll
Cher-LIFE and live WELL
\o/Cheryll