I know you are hurting

Your days seem empty

And you wonder if anyone

understands or cares

You have been hurt

Can you love or

Trust anyone again?

Can you ever feel joy again?

Yes! Yes, you can!

There is someone

Who also has been hurt

He knows what it’s like

To be betrayed

He knows the pain you feel

And wants so much

For you to feel his love

He wants to hold you

He wants to welcome you

And show you the

wonderful person you are

and the joy you can experience

Come to Jesus!

He is calling you

Can you hear his tender voice?

Can you feel his love?

Oh, my beloved

I am here to wipe your tears

I was there when

you were born

I have been with you

every step of your life

I know you are hurting

I know you feel alone

So, come and tell me

Your feelings and thoughts

Come and be with me

in silence

and feel my presence

Then we can dance!

Yes! We can dance!

You will see all

The gifts I have given you

You will see the goodness in you and others

Nature will fill you with wonder

Because you will see God there

So, come to the dance!

Your life will never be the same

Your path will be joyful

Your faith will be strong

Even with the cross

You will know you

Aren’t carrying it alone

Situation: You feel lonely, misunderstood, and that nobody cares for you. You think no one understands what you are going through. Inside, you feel empty and forsaken.

Jesus says: I can see you feel alone and abandoned. The people you thought would stand by you are not here. I am here. I AM here. Remember the times you felt my presence? I am just as present now as I was then. I know your situations and your feelings, you don’t even need to explain. I know. Be with me in silence. Imagine me smiling at you, and looking at you with love. Together, we will get through this. Imagine me holding your hand. Be with me for a while. You don’t need to be afraid because I know your weaknesses. They do not make me love you any less. After you realize you are not alone, I will help you connect with my other beloved children. You will see me in them. How could I possibly forget or leave you? My very presence is within you always. Spend quiet time with me every day, if only for five minutes, so I can show you how much you mean to me. I will never forsake you.

Activity: Reflect on the passage above. Bring to Jesus your feelings of loneliness in whatever way is helpful to you. Reach out to someone who understands your feelings and will listen to you or try to help someone who needs it. Reaching beyond ourselves helps us to focus on something other than our loneliness. It helps to know we have a purpose and that others are counting on us.

Closing Prayer:

Oh, Jesus, I am so lonely.

Even though I know you are here.

You also have felt loneliness

Please help me realize I am not alone.

You will give me the strength

to reach out to others

even when I don’t feel like it.

I just need to surrender my life,

my whole being, to you,

then follow whatever you wish of me.

We will do it together.