I don't like it! This living alone experience sometimes feels like being alone on a desert island. Oh, I know that having God in our lives, we should be able to circumvent those feelings, but really, why does it always seem like that is the case?

After losing my wife of fifty-one years, I felt like I'd lost part of my body — spiritually speaking, I suppose I did — you know, husband and wife, one flesh. The Word of God states:

Genesis 2:24 – Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (NKJV)

Many well-intentioned folk say to me, "You should never feel lonely if you have Jesus in your heart." "Alone, but not lonely." Give me a break! Are we not human? And didn't God say, "It is not good that man should be alone" (Genesis 2:18b NKJV), and give him a wife to commune with?

I suppose that we should really be able to deal with being alone as a widow or widower. Otherwise, it could be a separation or a divorce that leaves us alone, especially if we don't have children with us.

I'm involved in many activities in my life and regularly see my church friends. I have a super bunch of kids who have me over for visits and meals, and I have a dog for company. But no matter our social relationships, we have to return to our own house, with all its memories of life together with the parted one.

How then shall we exist in this grieving, without going into a deep depression? The secret is getting closer to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to heal our broken heart. This can be accomplished by singing praises to the Lord, reading His Word, and fellowshipping with God's people. This has worked for me, and I'm gradually experiencing fewer times of loneliness.

We will feel less alone if we internalize what Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5b NKJV), and we will discover the truth in the lyrics of a well-known song: "He was there all the time".

Prayer: Father, may we always feel Your presence in our times of despair as we cry out to You, the One who never leaves us isolated. In Jesus' name, we ask. Amen.

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About the author:

Allan Smith <agwsmith6@gmail.com>
Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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