Wednesday's Praise- Loneliness!
The blessings list looks different today. I could list out the many blessings of the past week, and they were plentiful; however, happy blessings aren't the full picture.
I've been having a hard couple of weeks. Events, in both Panama and Georgia, conspired to make me feel very alone. A few Sundays ago, I was a puddle of tears overwhelmed with loneliness. In Georgia, I was blessed with several close friends and lots of people I really enjoyed. I was never alone. I loved my life. I had no idea, at the time, what a unique easy season I was experiencing.
As I cried in the shower- am I the only person who cries in the shower?- the Lord brought a truth to me. I was overcome by one simple truth from the Creator of the Universe, "I chose you." Three simple words from the Savior, and my spirit settled. If He chose me, being alone feels a whole lot less lonely.
(I've mentioned before that when God whats me to get something He says it over and over because I'm hard of hearing. This time was no exception.)
That night, Tony and I were watching our favorite preacher/teacher on DVD. He spoke these awesome words (in immediate reference to Adam naming the animals in the Garden of Eden).
The loneliness I'm feeling isn't a trial to endure. It's a blessing. It allows my heart to beat in rhythm with God's. My longing for close friendships pales in comparison in His desire for me (and you). That's a truth I never would have heard in the season of friendships I experienced in Georgia. And it's a truth that makes the pain of loneliness sting so much less. And I praise the Lord today for it!
I've been having a hard couple of weeks. Events, in both Panama and Georgia, conspired to make me feel very alone. A few Sundays ago, I was a puddle of tears overwhelmed with loneliness. In Georgia, I was blessed with several close friends and lots of people I really enjoyed. I was never alone. I loved my life. I had no idea, at the time, what a unique easy season I was experiencing.
As I cried in the shower- am I the only person who cries in the shower?- the Lord brought a truth to me. I was overcome by one simple truth from the Creator of the Universe, "I chose you." Three simple words from the Savior, and my spirit settled. If He chose me, being alone feels a whole lot less lonely.
(I've mentioned before that when God whats me to get something He says it over and over because I'm hard of hearing. This time was no exception.)
That night, Tony and I were watching our favorite preacher/teacher on DVD. He spoke these awesome words (in immediate reference to Adam naming the animals in the Garden of Eden).
This was the design of God: to create longing and passion in the heart of humanity. We are designed to feel the longing of love, the relentless pursuit of the heart for another person like no other creature. Humanity would share in the experience of God with longing love.
~Allen Hood, Excellencies of Christ
The loneliness I'm feeling isn't a trial to endure. It's a blessing. It allows my heart to beat in rhythm with God's. My longing for close friendships pales in comparison in His desire for me (and you). That's a truth I never would have heard in the season of friendships I experienced in Georgia. And it's a truth that makes the pain of loneliness sting so much less. And I praise the Lord today for it!
Comments
I really appreciate your thoughts. I clearly haven't expressed mine clearly. :)
Rachel S.