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| Courtesy of Flickr: here |
I love this time of year.
There's a crispness in the air, festive holiday beverages, decorations of reds and greens, Christmas movies that fuel my romantic/traditionalist heart. It's "the best of times and the worst of times" for most people. Who doesn't love the warm, cuddly side of Christmas? Who doesn't feel the sting of loneliness with each family gathering, or lack thereof? The Holidays are a two sided coins with our levels of loneliness depending on our individual situations.
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| Courtesy of Flickr: here |
Do you feel loneliness creep in during the Holidays? Loneliness is universal. It effects the single, the married, the widowed, the single mom, the military spouse, the far from home, the stay at home mom, the childless, and the working mom. Some of us are truly alone with no one to share in the Holiday festivities. Others of us simply have missing pieces that leave gaps in our tender hearts. Some are grieving losses by death or separation, having little room for joy this season.Others are the "missing" longing for home. Still others, who "have it all", are experiencing gut-level loneliness.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted (Psalm 25:16).
As much as I love the freshness of this time of year, loneliness finds its grip easily in the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. If you have spent anytime here in my little corner of the web, you know that I am a "hopeful" romantic. Yes, indeed! The desire to be a wife and mom has been a constant companion since I was young. It used to be harder. I struggled as the single one. As a young 24 year old, I have seen God's grace comfort my longing heart. I can say I've come a long ways, with a long ways yet to go.
One thing I have found to be true:
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land (Psalm 68:5-6).
His heart is turned toward you.
If you are lonely, I'm truly sorry. There are no easy answers for the loneliness issue. My prayer is that you, ladies and gents, will be a friend to the lonely, even in your own loneliness.
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8).
In His Name,
Jennifer
Jennifer
9 comments:
This is the second time I have encountered these verses today! Praise God for giving us strength to be where He wants us, and for "setting the lonely in families."
That's so funny because I almost save this post for later in the week. I prayed that I would post it the right day. :) Praise God for His strength, provision, and direction!
Jennifer you have such a sensitive and compassionate heart. Back when I was a single Mom, I would loved to have read this. When I was a young girl, these words would have filled my soul.
His word and His love were all I had. Loneliness haunted me from childhood. I thank You, for your words so full of life and love and warmth. I thank you from the deepest part of my healing heart.
I thank you for not having a pat down answer. That blessed me the most.
You've encouraged me in:
While I now have so many who surround and love me, I will be praising God and also praying for Him to fill the gaps for other this year.
Jeri, I love how God uses words people write to speak to our hearts. Your posts have done that for me. It reminds me why He has to behind each post.
As much as I hate to hear about the loneliness of your past, I love hearing how God is healing your heart. I've seen that healing in my own heart. Makes me smile :)
*hugs from my side of the world!*
Oh Jen, this found me in tears today. Thank you for the reminder - it came as a the sea breeze comes: fresh, warm, and reminescent of a distant land. Truly, thank you, sister.
Court, I'm glad that God used my meager words to strike a chord with you. God is faithful to comfort our deepest loneliness. I love you to the moon and back!
Court, I'm glad that God used my meager words to strike a chord with you. God is faithful to comfort our deepest loneliness. I love you to the moon and back!
Just catching up on your posts...
and what you've shared here is so so familiar to me, emotions and truth that pressed hard on my heart only a little over a year ago. I know what holidays can stir up in us romantics!
Your desire to be a wife and a mother is precious to God, and I just want to encourage you to remain hopeful and in prayer. It is such a difficult balance to have that desire, and be hopeful, and yet to also live out what God's called you to in your current season, but I think you have the right perspective and are doing a good job. You won't regret this time as it is producing beautiful things in you!
I'm starting to ramble but I just wanted to let you know that you have a sister in Canada who is praying for you girly!
Steph, you are so sweet. Your comment has reminded me how precious the body of Christ is in encouraging each other.
I'm glad we're friends. :) Your blog has always encouraged me in this season of life. I have found an amazing model in you- in your single years and now in your new season of marriage.
Thanks for being my wonderful Canadian friend! :)
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