Friday 9 August 2013

How we can feel lonely but are never alone

Welcome to a space and place where there is friendship, companionship and sharing. Here, as I participate in Five Minute Friday, perfection is laid aside and words pour out freely with no over-thinking, editing or worry.

It's a great writing challenge that often stir deep waters from within as memory rises to the surface.


Today's prompt is:'Lonely'


START...

Lonely 




Lonely is a space to crawl into, away from noise and clamour of voices that shout too loud or whisper with hot-breathed closeness, singing a song she has no words for or ability to join in.

A seemingly safe and warm place where dreams dwell and longings lie in soft hushed sighs and tears flow free.

A life peopled by those meant to be family and all but a few are strangers to her heart. 

They push away and reject the essence of her personality and crush her fragile heart as rose petals falling to ground.

She looks hard in all the wrong places for love and acceptance, with resigned willingness to bend to another's idea of belonging and togetherness.

Though a stone sits heavy and sinks inside her as she tastes bitter waters rising.

There is no true belonging here.





Her heart empty with a God-shaped hole crying out for a Saviour.

He comes.

Hands open in offering.

He gives freely where others simply took.

He loves unconditionally.

He fills her heart to overflowing with a new song.

This is Jesus - her Heavenly bridegroom.

She will be His and belong to Him for all eternity.

She may feel alone sometimes, even in a sea of faces, but she is lonely no longer.



STOP




Linking here with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. You are warmly invited to join in. Just write your piece, link up and visit the person next to you to offer encouragement and support.

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20 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your beautiful words! Yes, Jesus, He fills those lonely places, doesn't He!

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    1. Indeed He does! I appreciate you stopping by, Cathy. Thank you.

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  2. Hi Joy,

    I loved your post my friend. I am so thankful that through the gift of grace we are no longer lonely, as we abide in our saviour.

    I still struggle with moments of loneliness, which come from painful memories of my past, but my answer is victory in truth, I am no longer lonely for I am covered in unfailing love that cannot be separated.

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    1. Yes, the painful places in our past can make us feel isolated and lonely. The antidote and answer is definitely God's gift of grace enabling "victory in truth". Over time, with patience and endurance, God's grace is able to cover and fill all our painful places and lonely spaces as we surrender them to Him. Our hope rests in His continual loving presence as we abide in the Vine. Thank you for sharing your insights here, Anita. Bless you.

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  3. I love your thoughts.

    "She looks hard in all the wrong places for love and acceptance, with resigned willingness to bend to another's idea of belonging and togetherness."

    It is so hard to make sure the I look in the right places for validation and love. Great words!

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    1. It remains a challenge to us all, particularly those of us who have not been given unconditional love by our parents. We all need and seek such validation. Thanks for stopping by and sharing here, Casey. Lovely to meet you!

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  4. This is so beautiful. Something I really needed to read this morning. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Barbie. I really appreciate your lovely comment! To know the words we have been given are blessing another is what it's all about.

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  5. Breathtaking words of loneliness and belonging, thank you for sharing Joy! What a blessing you are with your penned thoughts!

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    1. Hi Kathy. Lovely to see you here! Thanks very much for your lovely encouraging words. I'm so pleased God has blessed you through this post.

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  6. You might have written about me.

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    1. Patricia, my sister soul mate, I feel for you. Thanks very much for letting me know. May you also know the comfort and peace of His presence casting out loneliness and fears. Every blessing in Him. xx

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  7. Dear Joy
    We become us used to people taking more than we are able to give that it sometimes is a blessings when we physically cannot and learn to receive from the One who always gives and never expects anything back! There is no one else we love to love with complete abandon than our God for His love and grace are totally selfless.
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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    1. Dear Mia, your reflections are spot on as always. You know the struggles and the way God gives us grace to lean on Him in everything. For there really is none other who loves us so completely and perfectly as God, whose "love and grace are totally selfless". Amen, my friend. Blessings to you. xx

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  8. Deep stuff. Thank you for sharing your heart here. Loneliness is tough but you are right- we do have God and so we aren't really alone. Although sometimes we do need that understanding human presence in the flesh too. A hug for you my friend. You are certainly not alone! I am with you in spirit on the other side of this computer :)

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    1. Absolutely, Rebekah. There are many times when only 'Jesus with flesh on' will do as an "understanding human presence" to comfort and console us. Hugs returned. I so appreciate your friendship from across the pond and "on the othe side of this computer"! Thank you :)

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  9. Good to remember the thoughts, to be renewed, so to speak. It makes our journeys easier to endure and even overcome. Thank you, Joy. xx

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    1. Hi Irene. Yes, it does help to remind ourselves of how far we have come by God's grace and see the way our journeys are made endurable even through tough times. We can live as overcomers as we wait for promises to be fulfilled and change to come. Thanks very much for stopping by! xx

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  10. This is such an important distinction. "Feeling lonely but never alone" I remember the moment in my life when I admitted I was lonely but experienced amazing peace because I KNEW I would never be alone. Nice words, Joy

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    1. Yes, the distinction is important, isn't it? And we each have moments when the love and peace of God overwhelms us to the degree that we just KNOW we are always surrounded by His presence and will never be alone again. Thanks very much for sharing your experience, Eileen.

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