This being July 4th weekend, I had planned to write about freedom, but I feel like God redirected me. This afternoon as I was resting, I began to think of how lonely it can be when one does not feel well. You watch others with life and energy, and you want to join in, yet the body gives you a reality check and tells you you need to rest.

Then there are those who have lost a spouse, a sibling, a child, a mother or father, or even a good friend. How lonely that must be. You are used to them being there and then, all of a sudden, you can no longer call that person who was always there for you.

For single people, there may be a feeling of missing out on life while you long for a family of your own.

All of the above feelings are legitimate, and I do not want to down play them in any way. But I find that it is during the lonely times in life that I am the most thankful for my Heavenly Father. There are many times that I lie down at night and thank Him that He is there. He doesn’t sleep, He is never too busy, and He always cares. Everything you could dream of in a friend–that’s Him.

We were not made to be islands. We need each other. And, yet, there are seasons where God desires us to be quiet, to draw near to Him, to feel His love in a way that we might not if there were others to turn to. Everything happens for good to those who love God so, if you love Him, don’t fret. Rest in Him and feel His embrace. This is the best antidote for loneliness that I have found.