It’s early morning, just after my run. I sit on my back porch, drinking my coffee in solitude and thinking about the work I must do this day…most of it in my home office, with music piped in from the family room and dogs occasionally barking, but, otherwise, alone.
God has had me in an “alone” season for some time now. Make no mistake about it, I’m getting out and about, lunching, and chatting with friends at church. My phone receives friendly texts throughout the day, and my husband and I have been walking and talking more than ever. I have plenty of people in my life.
I’m not completely by my lonesome.
But I feel alone at times. Maybe you do, too.
I’m still getting used to my son living 1,000+ miles away and my daughter being away at college (and packing to spend the summer in Oregon). My spring speaking season is over, so I am not out meeting new people as often. My weekly women’s Bible studies at church have ceased until next August, so the absolute social “highlight of my week,” when I get to hang with my most precious gals and talk about sweet, spiritual treasures has disappeared from my calendar temporarily.
Still, it’s not like I can’t pick up the phone to call someone or run out to join the masses at Starbucks, right?
And yet, I know God has me in this “alone” place for a reason. So to pick up the phone or spend hours on Facebook or run to the mall would defeat the purpose.
I’m not just physically alone right now. I’m walking through some things alone.
And you, undoubtedly, are, too.
Some things we just have to do on our own…
by ourselves…
without anyone else.
But I’m choosing to embrace the “alone” rather than run from it. And I want to encourage you to do the same.
Whether you feel alone because…
- you’re parenting single-handedly
- you’re the only one taking care of your aging parent
- you must diligently care for an unhealthy spouse
- you’re battling cancer
- your husband is deployed
- you have a situation to deal with that no one completely understands
- you’ve been abandoned
- you’re grieving
- you’ve lost your job
- you broke up with your love interest
- or
- ______________ you fill in the blank,
- spoke to Moses through a burning bush and commissioned him to lead His people out of bondage
- prepared David to fight battles against unwieldy foes
- issued courage and a calling to Gideon
- opened Hannah’s womb
- encouraged the depressed and despondent Elijah in a still, small whisper
- granted Joseph the ability to forgive his brothers
- blessed Ruth with an unexpected romance
- privileged Mary with birthing the Savior of the world.
- revealed to John the glories of heaven.
I am loving that God put us side by side over at Holley's place today, Kay. I am so resonating with you and your heartwords. And the photo I love.
Thanks for dropping in to visit. I'm so glad I did the same. Be sure that I'll be back …
;-}
Thanks Linda, for returning the visit! How friendly! You are welcome here any time. Have a blessed day!
Kay, I've been lucky enough to reach your beautiful blog through Holley's link up. Thanks so much for your words of wisdom. I needed to hear it today more than ever. Please kindly pray for me. May our Lord open my heart to understand what he wants me to do to fix my family problems. Blessings, Naz