Thoughts for Cheri
April 3, 2004
“’Loneliness: the surprising opportunity to know God.’”
I cannot
remember where I read this quote. It was
too many years ago and I didn’t note the source. I know it spoke to me because I wrote it
down.
I was lonely in
my marriage. I longed for the intimacy God
created man and woman to share in marriage.
I always knew something was missing but couldn’t seem to change
anything. That’s what I was seeking to
do in the months before this as I sought God’s leading and help with my
marriage. I knew He was changing me and I
prayed that my husband was also changing.
Unfortunately that was not to be.
As sad as this is there is something wonderful that came out of this
yearning to fill the lonely times. My relationship
with God deepened and became sweeter as the days went by.
What have I learned
over these years of being lonely? For
one thing the loneliest place I can be is in a crowd. I’m seldom lonely when I’m at home
alone. I’m an introvert so I welcome
these times to recharge. However, some
of my loneliest moments have been at church when I’m sitting alone or when I watch
families leave together after worship. When
I’m sitting alone I’ve learned to focus on the presence of God who is with me
as I praise Him through voice, ears, eyes, and mind. After church is a little more difficult. I allow myself to feel the sadness and I give
it to Him. By the time I reach home He’s
reminded me that I’m not alone ever.
Then I walk into my apartment and there’s this precious little puppy who’s
overjoyed to see me. What a blessing she
is in my life.
I’ve also
learned that when I feel lonely all I have to do is lift my prayer to my Father
and He hears. There have been times when
His presence is so real I can feel His loving arms around me. Other times He’s brought someone into my life
with whom I can fellowship. It may be
through a shared meal, a phone call, or a simple hug but He never lets me
down. This is the reason I try to always
be aware of those around me and to give a smile or a sweet greeting. Sometimes I get a smile or a hello in
return. Always I believe it’s made some
kind of difference in a life.
The greatest
gift I’ve received through the gift of loneliness is “the surprising
opportunity to know God”. My
relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has deepened and become my
lifeline. The Father is there to provide
for and protect me. Jesus is my Best
Friend who intercedes for me and reminds me that I am loved by the One who died
for me. The Spirit comforts, guides, and
corrects me as I face each day in the world.
I have known God all my life but the trials and loneliness of the past
14 years have affected that relationship in ways I cannot explain. He’s with me.
Always! Often when I’m spending
my quiet time in the morning I sense the presence of Jesus sitting in the chair
across from me. I believe this based on
His own words:
The truth is we
all have times when we are lonely. God placed
a longing in each of us for a relationship with Him and nothing this earth has
to offer can satisfy it. Not even the
most wonderful human relationship can come close to a deeply intimate
relationship with our Creator.
Thankfully when He placed this desire in each of us He also gave us promises
in His word to fulfill that desire:
My plea with you
today is that if you don’t have this intimate relationship with God, if you’re
seeking to fill that void in all the wrong places with all the wrong things
stop. Seek God and He will be
found. Allow Jesus to enter your life
and you will never be the same again.
His word guarantees this and my life is a living testimony to it.
Father,
Thank You for the
gift of loneliness.
You have blessed me
richly in my loneliest times.
Open hearts that are
seeking to Your truths.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
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