Have you ever experienced a moment of unexpected loneliness? A moment that leaves you feeling all by yourself? One that takes you by surprise?
Yesterday I took my husband and son to the airport so they could visit an ailing family member over spring break. I wasn’t able to travel with them since I just started a new job three weeks ago. If I’m being 100% honest, I had been looking forward to the week of quiet homework-free evenings with zero expectations of dinner preparations or housekeeping chores. I was dreaming about bubble baths, kitty snuggles with a good book, and early bedtimes for this tired mama.
When I arrived home from the airport, I wandered around the house. I was aimless and restless. I had planned to clean the house and work in the garden so that I’d have the whole week of evenings free. That didn’t happen. I couldn’t focus on the to-do list. I wasn’t interested in the book I was reading. I couldn’t find anything interesting on tv.
I was lonely. I was missing my boys, even though I had just seen them a few hours earlier. Frankly, it took me by surprise because I had been looking forward to the alone time.
Rather than wallow in my loneliness blues, I decided to do something about it. I got up and cleaned the bathrooms top to bottom. I transplanted blueberry plants. I changed all the sheets. A whole bunch of busy work which still left me unsatisfied and still feeling alone.
That’s when I changed my tactic. I opened my Bible.
While reading chapter 5 of 1 Peter, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief in reading verse 7.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ~1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
My loneliness blues were cast on Him at that moment. I felt immediate relief. You see, the feeling of loneliness was one that I could have given to God at the very moment I identified my unrest. But I didn’t. Why? Because I am human…and I tried to fix it myself. Me “fixing” things hasn’t worked for me in the past…why would I think it would this time?!?!??!
In all seriousness, I should have known. I should have remembered. I should have trusted…that God would take the loneliness from me. That He alone would settle my unrest.
How do you deal with your loneliness blues? Are there specific scriptures that bring you comfort? Come to the Porch to share….
~Emily
Iron Porch 
Emily, at 1:00 a.m. this morning, I was crying my heart out to God, pleading with the Holy Spirit to give the Father my burden, and bring me answers. What I really wanted was to go back in time and fix it. He took me instead, to scripture that said I was no different (who can tame an unruly tongue); that Christ is my Deliverer, so no amount of going back would fix things, only He can; and that I need to be concerned only with His desires for my loved ones and my life – not MY desires. It was a ‘lonely’ of a different kind, but the answer was just like you said, that only the Word, the Lord, can fill the void. Thank you for a beautiful devo this morning. Trisha
LikeLike
Trisha, sweet girl…you have lifted my heart this morning! Although I hate that you felt this way, I love your description of “lonely of a different kind.” Our walk on earth often feels lonely in 100s of ways, but with the Lord, we will always have company. I’m praying for you!!! Hugs, Emily
LikeLiked by 1 person