Gosh Sara why did you come for me today 😂 Community that used to feel easy and good has felt hard and weird and exclusivey. While it's true that it hurts maybe there's more going on than I know. Thank you
This..."We want depth of connection with God, yet we spin our wheels and our schedule, fighting fiercely not to be alone — not to be on the other side of the picture window, looking in, not being in." I have so often felt like exactly what you describe here and I don't have a problem being alone at all. I actually enjoy being alone, but there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. For so long I have felt this loneliness creep in (ironically enough), not when I'm alone, but when I'm with others. Still trying to figure it all out, but of this I'm sure... there is purpose in it.
My heart resonates with this- puts words to what my heart/mind have been mulling over. What is challenging for me is wondering if the reason I am on the outside is because of something I am doing. We moved right before everything shut down and it's been challenging to make friends/ find community like where we came from. I find myself making lots of efforts towards people and very little being reciprocated which makes developing a friendship challenging. I just feel lonely, I miss my friends, I miss life before everything changed. Trying to bring these to the Lord- to sit in them and noticing that I am restless.
This kind of transition can just be so hard. And then all the mental gymnastics of … what might I be doing to contribute to this loneliness. I think so many 🙋🏻♀️are familiar with those mental gymnastics — they can be so wearying. You’re wise to sit with Him, here, for His perspective.
Always so timely for the happenings of my life! Funny how you can feel left out of things that realistically you wouldn’t attend or do, but somehow still crave the feeling of being included, acknowledged & seen. I suspect the undercurrent of this message is what you keep revealing and discovering again and again - connectedness with God in that space of absence. ❤️
I've been alone so long it doesn't feel lonely most of the time, and that concerns me because I find myself shunning people. When I have to be with a group it feels uncomfortable because I don't really belong anywhere. I never thought of God intending this for me, maybe I need it so I can bond with Him more - which is my best time - the thought has occurred to me more than once that it is training for something ahead.
Oh susan … I think there are so many nuances that an email like this couldn’t cover. Each situation of ours is unique and God truly does intend for us not to be alone. Stopping to pray that He speaks to where you specifically are.
I had similar thoughts when COVID interrupted extended family time this summer on my birthday & ended up isolating rather than allowing me to enjoy cherished time w/ cross country family😘
My heart resonates with this! Thank you! We have a Jealous God! He remembers all of our alabaster boxes broken at His feet! He is not stressed about our social status! 🙃❤️ Thank you Lord! Your leadership is perfect!
Thank you so much for writing this, Sara. I had a similar experience on vacation earlier this summer and have been feeling lonely for some time now. I’ve been praying about it and today God answered through you. These words were such a blessing and comfort to me, a reminder that He uses it all for good and his glory.
Gosh Sara why did you come for me today 😂 Community that used to feel easy and good has felt hard and weird and exclusivey. While it's true that it hurts maybe there's more going on than I know. Thank you
❤️
This..."We want depth of connection with God, yet we spin our wheels and our schedule, fighting fiercely not to be alone — not to be on the other side of the picture window, looking in, not being in." I have so often felt like exactly what you describe here and I don't have a problem being alone at all. I actually enjoy being alone, but there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. For so long I have felt this loneliness creep in (ironically enough), not when I'm alone, but when I'm with others. Still trying to figure it all out, but of this I'm sure... there is purpose in it.
So much to navigate through … our feelings .. His allowance of this … the moment we’re in.. Yes, yes to the purpose in it.
My heart resonates with this- puts words to what my heart/mind have been mulling over. What is challenging for me is wondering if the reason I am on the outside is because of something I am doing. We moved right before everything shut down and it's been challenging to make friends/ find community like where we came from. I find myself making lots of efforts towards people and very little being reciprocated which makes developing a friendship challenging. I just feel lonely, I miss my friends, I miss life before everything changed. Trying to bring these to the Lord- to sit in them and noticing that I am restless.
This kind of transition can just be so hard. And then all the mental gymnastics of … what might I be doing to contribute to this loneliness. I think so many 🙋🏻♀️are familiar with those mental gymnastics — they can be so wearying. You’re wise to sit with Him, here, for His perspective.
Always so timely for the happenings of my life! Funny how you can feel left out of things that realistically you wouldn’t attend or do, but somehow still crave the feeling of being included, acknowledged & seen. I suspect the undercurrent of this message is what you keep revealing and discovering again and again - connectedness with God in that space of absence. ❤️
I've been alone so long it doesn't feel lonely most of the time, and that concerns me because I find myself shunning people. When I have to be with a group it feels uncomfortable because I don't really belong anywhere. I never thought of God intending this for me, maybe I need it so I can bond with Him more - which is my best time - the thought has occurred to me more than once that it is training for something ahead.
Oh susan … I think there are so many nuances that an email like this couldn’t cover. Each situation of ours is unique and God truly does intend for us not to be alone. Stopping to pray that He speaks to where you specifically are.
Thank you, Sara
I had similar thoughts when COVID interrupted extended family time this summer on my birthday & ended up isolating rather than allowing me to enjoy cherished time w/ cross country family😘
My heart resonates with this! Thank you! We have a Jealous God! He remembers all of our alabaster boxes broken at His feet! He is not stressed about our social status! 🙃❤️ Thank you Lord! Your leadership is perfect!
Thank you so much for writing this, Sara. I had a similar experience on vacation earlier this summer and have been feeling lonely for some time now. I’ve been praying about it and today God answered through you. These words were such a blessing and comfort to me, a reminder that He uses it all for good and his glory.
I love when He does that ❤️