Lonely Friend

Some conversations are special. They stay in my mind imprinted with a label stating "This one is significant. This one was a gift." There is a sense of reverence and a little bit of excitement when I think of these moments, for it is always thrilling to feel the Lord's hand working in our lives. I've been thinking about three conversations I've had in the past few weeks that all seemed to have the same theme. In a charming little restaurant, in an abandoned parking lot, and while taking an extra lap around the block to buy more time, we talked about loneliness.

Now, loneliness is not something I have felt much of lately (insert: happy grateful sigh) but I remember in past years feeling it keenly. We all struggle with bouts of loneliness from time to time. I like how Dr. Seuss describes it:

I'm afraid that some times

you'll play lonely games too.

Games you can't win

'cause you'll play against you

All Alone!

Whether you like it or not,

Alone is something

you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance

you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.

There are some, down the road between hither and yon,

that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go...

Since having those conversations I've been thinking a lot about why we ever feel lonely. How does it happen? What purpose does it serve? How do we overcome it? Is technology to blame? I'm still working out the answers to these questions but after giving it some thought I do have a few things I would like to say to those friends who are feeling alone.

Dear Lonely Friend,

I wish I could somehow convey to you how much I love you. You are brilliant! At the moment you probably don't feel that way, but it's true. You are doing wonderfully. Just hang in there a little longer. The sun will come up soon, probably sooner than you think and brighter than you think.

If you are lonely because you feel misunderstood, remember that you are perfectly understood by your creator. Misunderstandings are going to happen. Those around you, even those who love you and should understand, sometimes will not. That's frustrating when you are trying so hard to do right. Be patient with them. Someday they will understand. If their perception of you is off God will correct that with time.

If you feel alone because you are unique and very few people seem to think the way you do, it's probably because you are unique. That uniqueness is what makes you special. It will enable you to serve and understand others who are likewise, unique. Do not complain that God has made you the way He has. There is purpose in His creations. Just go on being your fabulous self and serving in your unique way.

If you are lonely because you've lost hope in the future, remember that God always keeps His promises. He cannot lie. Remember the promises you've been given and don't doubt for a second that they will be yours. With unyielding determination hold on to those promises. Optimism is good medicine for this kind of fear. Choose to think positively even when all logic tells you there is no hope. There is always hope!

If you are lonely, I want to say call me, but better advice would be to pray. As I've mentioned before, "You can never know that Christ is all you need until Christ is all you have." The happiest thing about all this is that once you learn to rely on the Lord you'll never really feel alone.

Much love,

Susan