Lonely Girl

I want to talk about something that I've observed over the years:

From high school girls, to a career in law enforcement, to living in uganda, working with imprisoned children & teenagers, meeting full time missionaries who've left behind their home in America and now call Africa home, to meeting women who sit in a mega church, mothers who attend small fellowships, pastors wives around this great nation, missionary kids, school teachers, young adults in college, business entrepreneurs, the heads/leaders of non profits, nanny's, mom's of newborns, mothers who have a lot of children and a superhero type husband, newlywed wives, single girls, worship leaders...

There are a lot of themes of similarities that I've noticed no matter how different everyone in the people groups I've described above. What is it?

The theme and the commonality between all of the above:
This thing called "loneliness" 

Have you every heard of it? Have you ever felt it? Have you ever seen it?
I'm sure you have, no matter what age you are, what you do every day, or whoever you associate yourself with.

Loneliness comes in a lot of ways, shapes, and forms. And it's something that I really want to kick in the ass for a lack of term. (Sorry, the Law Enforcement type A comes out in me every once in awhile..and we're all pretty much adults here.)
 
I've seen this stupid but real thing called "lonely" ruin so many lives, so many friendships that could be, and kill so many people's dreams and families literally. It's taken away too many smiles. Let's stop this stupid enemy called "lonely."

He gives us beauty for ashes, not ashes for beauty. He gives us JOY for mourning, not mourning for joy. He takes our rags and clothes us with gladness... He doesn't give us rags and take away our gladness.

No matter where you are, if you feel lonely, or have someone around you who you can see is depressed... associate yourself with others. There's a reason why the Lord says, "do not forsake the assembling of yourselves." I've also heard how "an idle mind is the devil's playground."

No matter where you are, whether it's a hut in Africa, surrounded by people in America in a corporate job, a momma with little ones at home everyday, a teenage girl stuck in public high school fighting to stay pure, a missionary kid, pastor's wife...i could go on and on.

Stop feeling lonely. Stop feeling like you are alone. TRUTH: you are never alone, the Lord is with you.

Get out and make some jesus loving friends, ask for prayer from those around you. Introverted or Extroverted (whatever those mean), get a prayer buddy who's only a text, coffee date, or phone call away.

Life is too short to be lonely. You are loved, you are meant to be a princess, and you are so cherished by the one true God. You. Are. Not. Alone. Fill your time with lovely things. Get outside, paint a picture, sing a song, bake a cake, buy a puppy... :) But most importantly, know that you are loved, not forgotten, and Jesus is always just a prayer away.