Do you ever get the feeling you’re all alone in the world? I come from a small family. Both of my parents have passed on into eternity with God. I only have one brother, he and his family live a number of hours away from me. Those of us who do come from small families, in a real sense know the feeling of being alone. Its not, however, a feeling relegated to those who don’t have scads of family in every corner of the world. Any one of us can, at times, feel this overwhelming sense of “aloneness.”
I love the Fall of the year, its probably my most favorite time. I was born in the Fall, and I love the smells, sights and sounds associated with this time of year. It is also a holiday heavy time of year with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s all happening within weeks of each other. Not only is the weather changing and getting cooler, the activity level is changing as well. People in a hurry to decorate for the seasons, making plans for dinners and get togethers. Its just a festive time.
For those who feel a keen awareness of how alone they may be, it can also be an anxious time of the year. When others are planning for the big family get togethers, some may be wondering how they will spend those times. As I’ve talked with others who are single by choice or circumstance, and who are not part of an extended family, their “aloneness” seems to grow larger and take front and center place in their lives. Some like the alone time, and are happy to not have to be in larger gatherings. Some who have been part of larger gatherings, miss the hub-bub of it all. Some are saddened by the lack of interpersonal relationships in their lives.
Whatever the case may be, this time of year means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For myself, I enjoy large and small gatherings, and sometimes time with myself is a great comfort to me. Those who are alone, are not always lonely. Many times, they are alone as a way to recharge their own internal batteries. They need the alone time to regain whatever they’ve expended in interacting with others. These folks generally fall in the introvert category. Nothing wrong, simply a different way of being. Some need the company of others in order draw from that energy. Perfectly understandable how a large gathering can energize some. We call them extroverts. Nothing wrong, simply another way of being.
The alone time I experience truly does recharge me. I get very introspective and meditative. I find this time brings me a real sense of contentment. My aloneness in the world gives me what I need. Once recharged, I become hungry for the interaction with others and find suitable ways to feed my spirit.
Each of us are alone in the world, whether we acknowledge it or not. Each of us came into this world alone, and will exit this world the same way. Some pity those who they see as being alone. “They think how sad it seems that these persons live and die alone. Guess what? We all do. Every one of us live and die alone. Nobody goes with us. True enough, we experience life sometimes in the company of others, hopefully in the company of those we love and are loved by. But they cannot live our lives, and they cannot hold our hand as we cross the great divide. In a sense, every person is alone in the world.
And yet, we are not alone. We are not alone because God is with us. We do not truly come and go in this world alone, our constant and abiding companion is God. God never leaves us alone.
I don’t know what the holidays have in store for you and yours, I hope and pray festive times ahead for you. For those who dread the holidays, I’m praying for just what you will need to make it through these times; companionship, being surrounded by family and friends, and even for those who desire it, a little alone time to be in touch with the One who never leaves us.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom