Lonely Epidemic

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8:25

As I sat in a local coffee shop writing one day I noticed an elderly gentleman asleep in one of the chairs. I had seen him here before always alone. Maybe he had no one to hang out with or no where to go. He does not look like a bum, just a lonely old man. No one has said anything to him as he snoozes away in a chair. 

I have witnessed things like this in big cities such as Washington, DC where homeless sleep covered by garbage bags on benches or even just lonely looking people sitting on park benches. They are not begging but simply look sad. Some in fact could be mentally ill but we are not sent to judge but to love. My heart always aches but yet how many times have I approached them. Maybe as a lady alone I am cautious. But look around you today and you are bound to see someone who fits into the category or extreme loneliness. 

Do yourself a favor if you want to feel joyful. Find someone you can bring joy to today. Look around you. Maybe pay for the person behind you in line at a drive through. You never know what they are going through. Smile and say hi to a lonely looking person. Visit a nursing home and sign up to be a buddy to someone. Whatever it is shine the love of God to those the world may have forgotten. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord God I am at fault for sometimes seeing a need but not meeting it. Awaken me to the needs of those I come across and make a way for me to share your love. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Lonely Epidemic

24 A man who has friends must show himself friendly,  and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

You don't have to go far to see lonely people. Some loneliness is visible and some is not. It is not just found in large cities like New York. The elderly, the poor, even the very rich and successful. It is caused by a host of things too involved for a short devotion. Question is, what to do if you are lonely or to help lonely people. 

We have probably all seen those who fit in this category and we ourselves if honest have been there at one time or another. Some loneliness is brought on by self pity. It could be someone sitting alone in a park, a coffee shop, a restaurant. We just never know. Don't be afraid to smile and say hello. If you have some free time visit a nursing home as I guarantee you there are lonely in there. If prison ministry is your calling many there are lonely.

Today whatever you are doing stop and think about someone who needs their spirit lifted. Maybe a friend or family member you could call. Write a letter to a friend or send a card. Be creative. Showing God's love is the best cure for loneliness. 

PRAYER: I need to be aware of those around me who may need a hug or a smile. Help me learn to put down my electronic devices and tune in to people for a change. In Jesus' name.Amen.