Surviving the Loneliness While Standing

BY: Anonymous

One warm summer day, I decided to take my pet’s cage outside to clean with the hose in my front yard. Being a petite young woman, it took a lot of effort to get the 6-foot iron cage out the front door and down the steps into the driveway. Once I had it outside, I gathered my supplies and was ready to get to work.

The next thing I remember was waking up under a pile of metal pieces. When I turned around to grab my supplies, the cage somehow fell on me and knocked me to the ground, pinning me under all the pieces. Once I regained consciousness, I climbed out from under the pile and realized the back of my head was cut open, and I had blood running down my leg. I didn’t know what to do, so I grabbed the hose and started rinsing myself off. As I was doing this, I heard laughter and realized my neighbors across the street had been sitting on their front porch the entire time. Had they not seen me lying in my yard, trapped under a pile of iron pieces? Or did they see me and CHOOSE to do nothing about it? Nobody had come to check on me.

Even as I was washing blood off myself, nobody even shouted across the way to ask if I was alright. I wondered if I needed stitches, but I was worried that I would not financially afford a trip to the hospital. So I just held a towel to my head, went inside, and sat down to cry...and pray.

I think that was the moment when I realized the gravity of living alone. I cried big tears - not just because I had a physical wound that was hurting, but also because I felt a deep loneliness I never knew existed.

Frankly, we will probably all have these moments during our stand. Yours may not look like mine did, but to some extent, we will all have something happen that makes us feel the heaviness that comes with living without our spouse.

Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

I tangibly experienced this verse! The following day when I woke up, the back of my head had completely healed. There was not even a scab! The gash was totally GONE! I was amazed, although when I look back, I know that it was the Lord’s way of showing me that I was NOT alone and that he saw every second of what happened. Even though I’ve known my whole life that the Lord is with me, it all became more “real” to me at that moment.  I had tangibly experienced His goodness.

During other times, I’ve had to “strengthen myself in the Lord,” as 1 Samuel 30 tells us that David did. Here are a few ideas to try next time you’re feeling lonely:
 

• Call someone else who might be lonely. I like to make the conversation about that person rather than venting about my feelings or my situation. Take an interest in other people!
• Write (and mail) an encouraging note or letter to someone.
• Volunteer somewhere. I volunteered with the local animal shelter. I fostered mama cats and their newborn kittens! The shelter provided all the supplies, so I didn’t need to spend a single penny. I just needed to offer them a safe, warm place to live until the kittens were weaned and could be adopted out to permanent homes. This brings me to my next point….
• Adopt a pet! I ended up adopting one of my foster babies! He is so snuggly and affectionate and helps me feel less “alone.”
• Do something active - go for a walk, ride a bike, swim, etc.
• Learn something new! (Cooking/trying a new recipe, changing the oil in your car, sewing, etc.) I have always enjoyed sewing, but I have been making many handmade gifts this year, just because I enjoy it! If you aren’t sure how to make or do something, YouTube or Pinterest are great places to start looking for ideas.

 
Let’s pray together.
Father, thank You that You see everything that happens to me. Your eye is on the sparrow, and Your Word tells me that I am FAR more valuable than MANY sparrows (Luke 12:7). You never leave me or forsake me. Although I may feel lonely, I am never alone because You are with and within me. Thank You for Your love and Your peace that passes all understanding. Help me to keep my eyes on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.