Friday, August 29, 2014

Dearest God,

Deep loneliness can cause us to live in despair.  It can motivate us to reach out in so many unhealthy and negative ways.  Or it can present us the opportunity to meet you on a new level of faith.  The choice seems to be up to us.  You do not strong arm us to do what you think best; you just give us options.

I'm not quite sure how loneliness begins.  Perhaps it develops slowly as we rely upon others to feed and nurture us, taking away the responsibility we have to determine the ebb and flow of our own joy, hope, and peace.  Maybe it feeds on low self esteem or self pity.  Suddenly, we find ourselves in pockets of sadness that do not seem to go away.  If left untreated a soul can wither and die.

There is a greater choice, one that lifts us to a high place with One who never deserts or abandons us, One whose love is not temperamental or temporary but rather whose love flows like a never-ending fountain.  When we step into that sacred space we are welcomed not with a flourish of trumpets and horns but rather on a gentle breeze, warm, loving, and oh so, comforting.  Depending on how long we tarry and recognize the gift and the gifter, we are filled up to capacity, even to overflowing because such as this is always meant to be shared.

When I face my own loneliness, I trust in you giving thanks for mercy that meets all of us when we turn toward your face.  Why would we turn in any other direction?

Gentle God,
please help us
see the light
of your face
as we
look out
from our darkness.
Teach us
the truth
that loneliness
can not kill
the spirit
of one
who turns
toward you.
Let your peace
reside deep
within us.
Give us lips
to praise
and give thanks
for this
most awesome gift.

Love, Andrea