Lonely, But Not Alone

I confess.

I have become lonely.

I know that sounds weird coming from a homeschoolin' Momma of two.  Whose kids are always around.  Whose husband has been home more in the last year than in any of the previous seven (Praise God!).  Things can get loud and crazy and really, really silly around here.

And don't get me wrong.  I enjoy the company of my family.  I love being with my kiddos, and without a doubt, MotorMan is my best friend.  

But something has been missing and I've been lonely.

But not alone.

Moving to a new location has been difficult.  Not for the physical, heavy labor reasons.  (That was a quick difficulty!)  But for the emotional, psychological, longer lasting reasons.  Plainly put, I miss my friends.  I miss having any local friends to talk to, socialize with, pray/worship/learn with. 

I've become lonely.

But I'm not alone.

There is a difference between lonely and alone. 

lone·ly

adjective, -li·er, -li·est.

 

1.  affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome

2.  destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship

 

Yep, that's me.  Both of those definitions fit.  

a·lone

–adjective (used predicatively)  

1. separate, apart, or isolated from others

 

Like I said, there's craziness all around me.  I am definitely not separate from others.  But most importantly, I am not separated from God.  

I am lonely. 

But not alone.

Right now, I miss specific people from our previous home.  I miss my neighbors, our church family, my friends.  Specifically, I am lonely for my girlfriends.  You know, those friends who know you -- really know you, and love you anyway.  My Sister Chicks...

I am lonely.
But not alone. 

In my loneliness, I've sought solace.

In the One who has been here.  The One who called Abraham "friend," is also the same God who is here with me.  Here.  Now. 

Lonely, but not alone.

And maybe that's the way He planned it.  For my focus and dependence to be totally, and completely, on Him.  For a time such as this...

I have been lonely,

I've not been alone.

Never alone.

"Never will I leave you;
      never will I forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5

 (Image of Greg Olsen Artwork)

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:20b