Friday, March 1, 2013
Leave a Message
Every day I receive a Bible verse in my email. Sometimes it doesn't seem to fit anywhere. I read it and think about it for a few moments and then I usually delete it. Sometimes, I leave it in my email all day and will periodically go and read it again. It fits my mood, gives rise to a question, answers a question, or comforts me in some way. I save those until it serves its purpose.
This morning I had this verse in my email.
"Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." Psalm 73:25-26 KJV
I don't know why but this came at a time when I was feeling very alone. I've felt the isolation more this week because I was dealing with physical problems that deprived me of large amounts of sleep. I tend to go into a depression after such episodes.
When you are awake and sick at 4 a.m. and there is no one to call, it is a terrible feeling. It is at moments like this that you realize just how vital human companionship is to each of us. Even the worst companionship is better than none to some. In fact, the worst decisions of your life will be made when you have no one to call.
Of course, I could have called across the hall to my son but he has to be at work by 6:30 and so he wouldn't have been able to help. I'd have only caused a shortage in his sleep. There was no one else. So, at times like this, you just sort of call God. Unfortunately, it is at the worst possible times that he seems to be away from the phone.
I know He's not really gone anywhere but the distance is just so far and the comfort of another voice, a hand to hold, or just someone sitting in the room with you is no little thing. We feel it so much more in times of distress. Humans crave other human contact in times of crisis more than any other time. Suicides rarely kill themselves when they are with someone.
I've had more days of stress in the last four years than I've had in my entire life. Nearly every week for 208 weeks something has hit me with enough force to knock me off my feet. I don't know how many more there are to get through. I only know that doing it alone is much harder than sharing the load. And some days the load crushes me.
So I make the call. I leave a message. This morning I had an email.
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((((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteIf we were closer we could have coffee. Once again, I want to try to do it with Kat. My kids are old enough.
Anyway, I think a verse like that is like a "word fitly spoken." I need to see if Google has a daily bible verse.
I've been enjoying Phyllis' little devotionals very much too.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I read somewhere that our night time prayers are heard quicker by God. I wish I remember where I read it because it all made sense the way they explained it. Anyway, just remember that we have a Comforter that is always with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies. Chris, I get a verse a day from Bible Gateway. Comes in an email. They have all kids of stuff you can get in email that are really good.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, this was a topic at work last week. Losing a spouse, whether by death or divorce (as in my case) leaves one alone and lonely, especially when sickness hits. A coworker just lost her husband a few months ago, and was sick this week. She emailed me from home that she was really missing (her husband) while laying there so sick. I remember, not long after my divorce, I was so sick with a virus that my eardrums were bleeding. I went to the doctor, and then stood in line at the pharmacy with my prescription, with tears falling. The tears were just falling. I felt so alone and miserable, with no one to care and no one to help me. It was awful. But, I got through it, as did my coworker. Our faith can keep us strong. We really are not alone. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you were able to gain some comfort from this Cindy. You are not alone. You can phone me any time.
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