Thankful for Loneliness

Today I share Psalms 27 (below) because once again I find myself in a place that is familiar. I am in a place that feels SO lonely and forgotten. I know that I am here because it's where my Father desires me to be. I've been here so many times before. I've learned the loneliness of being abandoned by my mother and father and my siblings. I have felt the loneliness of no intimate earthly relationships. And I have felt the loneliness of no friends. While there may have been a time where these feelings would have sent me to bed for weeks, crying in great despair I have now come to a place where I can be thankful for these times of extreme loneliness.

I am thankful because I know I am not alone. God is and always will be with me. Even if everyone does leave me, He never will and that my dear sisters is enough.

I also know that I am not truly alone on this earth either. I have a husband and children who absolutely love me. Even more I have a husband who loves me, cherishes me and desires to be with me.

I also have friends, but not just casual friends that say hello as they pass by, but sisters who love me. And God has given me a kindred spirit – so I know I am not truly alone.

But if we were honest with ourselves we would all agree that even with all the above there are times of extreme loneliness. That's where I am today. And I am thankful because today my "emotion" of loneliness propels me toward God not away from Him as in the past. I have learned to recognize that the enemy would love for me to give in to my ever changing emotions. I have also learned that emotions are not to be trusted.

Our emotions cannot be trusted. They are not truth. See, my current emotions would tell me I am alone, with no one who really cares or understands what I am currently facing. No one really understands how I feel about all the changes taking place in my life. No one really understands the deep painful loss I feel as a beloved sister moves away. My sisters can I just say that while I might think these thoughts and feel the emotions they are NOT true!!

I will even go on to say that IF they were true it wouldn't matter for the thing I seek most is God Himself, and He will hold me close. He will be all I need, for He IS enough!

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
so why should I be afraid?
The LORD protects me from danger;
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to destroy me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will know no fear.
Even if they attack me, I remain confident.
The one thing I ask of the LORD,
the thing I seek most,
is to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
delighting in the LORD's perfections
and meditating in his Temple.

For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high,
above my enemies who surround me.
At his Tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the LORD with music.
Listen to my pleading, O LORD.
Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me."
And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."
Do not hide yourself from me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don't leave me now; don't abandon me,
O God of my salvation!

Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the LORD will hold me close.
Teach me how to live, O LORD.
Lead me along the path of honesty, f
or my enemies are waiting for me to fall.
Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I've never done
and breathe out violence against me.

Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD's goodness
While I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.