For the Lonely

My dear one,

I know the ache of loneliness feels so real tonight. I know the pain cuts deeper than anyone will ever know. The silence feels loud and the hope feels empty. Everyone else seems to have someone, and you don’t. And you’d give anything to have the cold space next to you filled with the warmth of someone who truly understands you. I know.

Dear lonely one, please know this: you are not alone. Even if you might be physically alone, there are so many of us who feel the same as you. That knowledge might not make your loneliness go away, but maybe the cold edges will be warmed a little bit by it.

But even better, the presence of the Lord is always with you. Psalm 139:7 says, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Even when He feels far away, the Lord has never left and will never leave you. He looks upon you as His precious beloved, and He will hold you fast no matter how wild the storms of loneliness grow. Bury your face in His promises and in the depth of worshiping Him, and He will draw you close.

When you “lift your eyes and look around, you will be found” – to quote the song from Dear Evan Hansen. It is true. Drag your eyes and your heart upward – and you will find the love – first of all, from the Savior and second of all, from those He’s sent to walk through life with you.

Dear lonely one, may you be wrapped in arms of love tonight – and may your loneliness be washed away. There is a place where you belong. There is a story in which you are a valued part. There is a happy ending waiting for you one day. Just keep holding on through the lonely days.

Much love to you.

 

For the Insecure

Dear beautiful human,

I know you’re doubting your worth tonight. I know you question whether your life is valuable, whether your skills are worthy, whether your contributions are even noticed. Maybe you look in the mirror and you don’t like what you see. Maybe you hear the words that come out of your mouth and you hate them. Maybe you’ve lost the real you in layers of confusion, shame, or lies.

Let me remind you tonight of how valuable you truly are. Psalm 139:13 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” God designed you on purpose, and He doesn’t make mistakes. The things you love to do are a gift to the world. Your smile brings joy to others, even if they never say it.

If there’s no one else telling you this, let me: you have a beautiful soul, and I pray you start believing it. God has started a good work in you, and His Word says He will finish it (Philippians 1:6). You might feel like a work in progress, but that’s because you are. And so am I. The canvas might not make sense right now, but the painting that God is creating with your life will end up being beautiful beyond compare.

Cling to His truth tonight – steep your soul in it – and may you find peace and security in the knowledge of who He’s created you to be.

Much love to you.

 

For the Weary

My sweet friend,

I know how weary you are tonight. Weary of life. Weary of hope. Weary of the same exhausting grind day after day. Weariness can erode our edges till we feel like we might just melt away. I know you kind of wish this season would just be past.

Hold on, tired lovely one. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” This is truly only a season. It will soon be gone, but in the meanwhile, God is working beauty through all our cracked and feeble days.

Today just focus on one moment of beauty or grace. Pause to feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Trace the path of a raindrop down the window. Listen to the hum of the dishwasher as it spins to life. Stroke the dog’s head as you breathe deeply.

You may not get to half (or even a quarter) of what you wanted to do today. But linger in the knowledge that this life is not a race. Your days are not wasted if they don’t look like someone else’s. And if you’re walking with Christ, not one day is ever wasted. He is working through your life, weary or not. Trust Him to get you through.

May you be given strength to put one foot in front of the other. And may you also get some rest tonight.

Much love to you.

 

For the Anxious or Overwhelmed

Dear love,

I know how your brain is spinning with too many thoughts right now. One after the other, jumping from one thing to the next, causing a whirlwind of emotions you can’t even process. And I know how you secretly feel you might be going mad. I know how you want it all to be still, but you just can’t make it so.

Take a moment to breathe deeply, my sweet one. The slowing of our heartrates will actually bring calm to our racing imaginations. And remember 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” He cares so much about every little thing you’re worried about, you feel overwhelmed by, you can’t seem to process. He cares, and He’s willing to take them all on for you.

Our Lord can handle all that we can’t. So tonight, just sit and quietly make a list of all the things you can’t seem to handle right now – and hand it to Him. His love will overflow in new ways as you do so.

The anxieties may come in waves, my love. But His arms are stronger still. Cling to those arms of grace and trust that He knows what He’s doing with your life, even when you don’t understand.

May you be grounded in that truth tonight.

Much love to you.

 

For the Grieving

Oh dear friend,

I know how the sorrow is surrounding you tonight. In ways that no one will see – because for them it isn’t a current reality. But the tears well up, spill over, and your heart just aches for the face that’s no longer with you. And you wish more than anything for one more moment with the one who is gone.

I wish I could be there to share my tears with you tonight, friend. But please know that I understand your hidden grief, for mine is just as real. And it’s okay. When the tears keep coming long after you think they should be done, never feel ashamed of that. There is no timeline for tears – no guideposts for grief. Just an acceptance that we weep because we loved. And there is beauty in that love.

Also remember Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” He is there for you in the midst of your brokenness, and He is gathering you up in arms of love and mercy. Commit your tears and your aching to Him – He will never turn them away. He knows our griefs and our sorrows better than anyone else, and He promises us a day when they will be gone for good.

May you look tonight to the promise of heaven and eternity with Him to soothe your grieving soul, my dear one. And may you be given comfort beyond what I ever could.

Much love to you.

 

Photo by Benoumechiaravymen on Unsplash.