January 16
“For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed.” Lamentations 1:16
Driving through neighborhoods today, it is rare to see the interwoven threads of families playing and working outside or helping others in their immediate surroundings. During a typical day, people are separated from each other, wrapped up in their respective responsibilities. With the influx and integration of our computers and other electronic equipment in our lives, we have become isolated. Due to the fact these activities are typically performed alone, the propensity to be self-absorbed and have much of our time wrapped up by these activities is a reality. Even children’s playtime often includes the use of computers. It is becoming rare to see kids enjoying spontaneous outside activity. For many of them today, an outside activity involves only a scheduled sport. Then there are the elderly in our neighborhoods who are especially affected by this separateness. Gone are the “old days” when kids in the neighborhood would just stop by for a visit or offer to perform a task for them. There seems to be little time for that any longer, when we allow our time to be taken up by something every minute of every day. It seems we always see the human spirit rally to the forefront though, sacrificing much to assist one another during times of hardship or disaster.
But for many people every day is their own personal disaster, and even though they may be surrounded by others, there is loneliness as they cope with their concerns and pain. Walking through a hospital, nursing home or rehab center, one can readily see this. We can see this with our homeless, our homebound, our young and old. Person after person can feel desolate and isolated with their illness, with emotional pain and with physical limitations. Having no family by their side able to comfort them, or no one there to ease their fear, worry, and pain other than medical personnel, is disheartening; many are overcome with sadness and grief in their loneliness. Although only God can restore our spirits, He uses us to help do His work. To be aware of the lonely people around us and in our communities provides us an opportunity to help revive the courage of someone . . . and with our own fullness of spirit, bring His light and comfort to them.
Heighten our awareness of those around us Lord, and use us to help bring them comfort.
Please pray for my friend Janet today as she undergoes surgery.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson