My husband moved to heaven ten years ago. We were married for forty years and had two children. We had one amazing grandchild. They are grown and have moved away now. My home became very quiet after a lifetime of fun and joy.
Last year, my mother was living with me. She was full of hope and life. Her body held her back, but she never stopped living. The last two months of her life, many were coming into my home to help me take care of my mom, bringing food, and sharing their love during this hard time.. Momma moved to heaven at the end of July. Once again, I was alone.
I have learned some very important things during my time of being alone. I need people in my life. I need people in my home. I need people to encourage me. I need the joy people bring into my life. I need to give of myself to others.
Depression can take over our lives when we are alone. Anxiety can control us when we are alone. Many times we secluded ourselves from others during times like these.
Proverbs 27:17 reads: “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friends.”
Iron rubbed against iron shapes and sharpens. This scripture tells us that people can influence and improve each other through interaction and relationships. Just as iron can be made sharper by being rubbed against another piece of iron, individuals can be refined and strengthened by interacting with others.
God wants us to have relationships with others who are on a journey similar to our own. We are created for relationships with one another, and these relationships need to be developed. I need you, and you need me. This should be the theme of our lives.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
This scripture encourages us to actively stimulate one another to love. It says, ‘Don’t pull away, but meet together for encouragement.’ It is important we intentionally think about how to encourage fellow believers to grow in love.
One thing I have realized is that it is up to me to change loneliness. I had to pursue relationships with people. I did this by refusing to give in to the attack of loneliness. How do we do this? Get involved. Connect with a small group at your church, volunteer to serve those that need a hand up, get involved in a ministry where people need someone to love them unconditionally, adopt a family that has similar needs as you have, adopt young people and children that need someone to listen and encourage them, or reach out to someone older than you that needs a shoulder to lean on. The list goes on and on. There is a place for you to give your love to someone who needs you desperately.
There are so many things you can do not to be lonely. Don’t wait for someone to reach out to you. Ask God to lead you to someone who needs you as much as you need them. Just maybe someone needs a mother, father, grandparent, brother, sister, or friend in their life.
Go for it: don’t be afraid of being hurt again, pour the love out of your heart that God has given you. You will be amazed at how much joy and laughter can bring to healing your brokenness.
Patti League
Lean into Jesus Ministries
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