This pandemic is — enter any adjective you want here, like crazy, scary, lonely & isolating, to name just a few. Don’t get me wrong, of course we often look at the good side of this… many of us have been able to paint rooms, clean out closets or basements, worked out a little longer or actually just worked out, played games with our kids and had extra time to do something we’ve been wanting to do that we just could never find the time for. But many of us are lonely.
I belong to a couple of bible studies where we are still getting together through Zoom. It’s so great to be able to see an adult face, to have a conversation, and of course we are still studying our bible. One study I’m in is with single moms going through heart-wrenching divorces. These women are amazing, God-fearing and loving mothers of young children. And they are lonely. Being lonely isn’t a new phenomenon. Many of us are lonely and we should expect to be and feel lonely at some point throughout our lives. However, this pandemic seems to have blown up this feeling of isolation and loneliness to new heights. It seems to have exaggerated our reality of being alone. It’s lonely to not have a partner/adult to discuss the day’s events with. It’s hard to work part time/full time, and sit with your child for their online school lessons and help teach the subject. It’s hard to be the only adult in a young person’s life for an extended period of time. It’s scary to be everything for these little people. It’s hard. It’s lonely. It’s scary.
But, thankfully, we are able to help each other, even if it’s just a reminder of scripture to provide hope and strength. Our society looks at being alone or lonely as a bad thing. I recognize that I now have that extra time to read the bible, to take extra time in prayer or pick up a bible study I’ve wanted to do on my own. I’m hoping to allow God to transform me during this time.
Our Lord states that we are to not fear for He is with us and will strengthen us and help us. He is with us always, to the very end of the age, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NIV)
Matthew 28:20 “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Jesus took many trips away from people to really connect with his Father and pray. He specifically went to be alone, but He wasn’t, because He was with His Father. I need that reminder daily sometimes, and I’m thinking you might too.
God loves you. God loves me. God loves us.
Take heart that this won’t last forever. Hopefully our new ways of taking time to be more focused on God will continue and grow as we get back to doing some of the more “normal” things in our lives.
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