I know... technically, this is tea! But this is Wednesday where we have decided to join in over at Holley Gerth's place and provide a little Coffee for Your Heart.
Todays' prompt though? It feels like it is calling out for a cuppa tea... a little more time to linger and steep; to let the truth of it get a bit stronger, a bit more real and realized, the longer you sit with it!
So cozy in, ya'll!
Here is the truth that I have come to know:
Lonely and Alone are two different things... two very different feelings.
How do I know this? Well - I have been known to give in to feelings of loneliness, right in the middle of a crowded room. I have bought the lie of invisibility... of not-mattering... of being in the way. I have found myself nodding in agreement with the thoughts of why-even-try, or no-one-cares-anyway. None of these things are true, but they can FEEL like truth when we give in to loneliness.
But Alone... well - sometimes, Alone is a lovely invitation... a reward worth pressing through all the chaos and the piles of laundry and the crying and melt-downs... (can I get an Amen?)
However, often times Alone is dark and secluded, like a windowless room with round walls and no corners or edges to climb back up. Alone is no-one-there... no-one-seeing or -hearing or -knowing... Alone is a lie, because - sweet sister... I promise you, you are never ever ever alone!
You have a God who is in hot pursuit... Who has been chasing you from the moment He had the very idea of you. From the second He formed your heart and breathed life into your lungs, He has been coming for you and more than any of my promises, which can often be pushed aside or broken without intent, all of HIS are Truth and you can take His Word and hide it in your heart! Lean in to it and rest in His embrace!
I have written about this on the blog before... the subject comes up because, well - because we all fall prey to the lies, to the dark emotions, of alone.
When our feelings weigh in heavier than that truth we know - we forget. We forget that we're not alone... we forget that we were made for community and relationship and we are connected in more ways than we remember.
It does us well to remember that Jesus bore that Cross alone... so that we would never be. We may feel forsaken... but we never are. We need each other to remind us that when we are hurting, He is hurting... when we are lonely, He is there... when we are broken, He already was - in order to make us whole... in order to assure us that we are not alone!
I think it breaks His heart a little when we feel like we are all alone. He is - after all - right there with us... residing within us, sitting beside us... holding our frail hearts in His nail pierced hands, still creating us, forming us, loving us! And He whispers your name to friends and family... He prompts neighbors to smile and strangers to strike up a random conversation. Community is His idea... Family is what we are grafted into.
Do not give in to lonely, believing that you are alone.
Look to Him... look for Him to send love in phone calls and emails and giggly Littles that remind you of Truth... and look to me, because I will always remind you...
No - you are not alone.
Linking up and sharing a cup of coffee with Holley Gerth again today
Linking with Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory
"It does us well to remember that Jesus bore that Cross alone... so that we would never be." I'm so grateful for this reminder today...beautiful post, friend. (And I adore the Paris teacup...it makes me want to drink tea instead of coffee this morning!!!) ;) Have a wonderful day...hugs!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? That teacup is so dreamy! Rebekah Ellis gave it to me and she has one for herself and sometimes we just so happen to be enjoying tea from it at the same time! Thanks for stopping by! I'd trade coffee for tea with you any day... well - ya know... not every day - but any day! (I need my coffee, afterall!) Love you friend!
DeleteWhat a beautiful post! I had never thought about whether it made Him sad when we felt alone - because He really is with us. I'll be mulling this over today...thank you so much for the wonderful reminder!
ReplyDeleteGinger... I know - it is a sobering thought, isn't it? It has never left me...after a time of feeling desperately alone and abandoned, when I felt Him weeping beside me. He is within us and all around us and who among us hasn't needed this reminder? We all forget! So thankful you stopped by today for a little coffee (or tea!)
DeleteSo well said! Alone is a lie and it convinces you that you deserve isolation. Thank you for the beautiful reminders how God never leaves us alone.
ReplyDeleteChristy @ A Heartening Life
www.ahearteninglife.com
Christy - I always love to see your beautiful smiling face around here! You are such an encouragement! Thanks so much for stopping by today!
DeleteSuch beautiful words! (and I'm drinking tea right now too Karrilee - already had my share of coffee)
ReplyDeleteI love this, "When our feelings weigh in heavier than that truth we know - we forget. We forget that we're not alone... we forget that we were made for community and relationship and we are connected in more ways than we remember."
I have lived this so many times, feelings overshadowing truth, forgetting why I'm here, why we're all here!
Thanks for the reminder Karrilee!
So thankful to be "connected in community" with you!
Amen! So glad you stopped by for a 'spot of tea'!
DeleteWe are grafted into family-
ReplyDeleteAnd I am so grateful.
Lovely thoughts for today~
Amen Lori! Me too! I am so grateful too! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYou are such an encourager Karrilee, thankful for your love and reminder here. You are a gift to those who know you.
ReplyDeleteAwww... you make me blush my friend! (and right back at ya!) Thanks for stopping by today!
DeleteLove this word - "When our feelings weigh in heavier than that truth we know - we forget." That's why we can't base anything on how we feel...we always have to go to the truth of God's word. Loved your title for this post too, Karrilee! So glad we are all in this together!
ReplyDeleteAmen Holly! I just wish I would remember it sooner! ;) Bless you, friend!
DeleteGirl, you are getting an "amen" for so many reasons. I love alone because - hey, introvert! I oddly recharge from being alone. I do relish those times. But I also know the feeling of alone when it hurts the heart. When it's isolating and feels like you've been abandoned. And this is such an encouraging reminder to cling to Him when it's that kind of "alone" because He will never leave us that way. He has been there - and been there for us, so that we never have to be. What a blessed truth. And of course, you know I'm going to smile and give you an "amen" at the sight of our mugs - tea and all. Just another way to cement community and bind our hearts together over the miles.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I knew you'd love the Mug Shot (hehe... what? So I'm 12?)
DeleteI agree - sometimes I can hear the Hallelujah Chorus in Alone... but sometimes... not so much!
Love you friend! Thanks for sipping tea with me!
"You have a God who is in hot pursuit."
ReplyDeleteOh, this was my favorite line...what a perfect picture of what we mean to God - that He would race hard after us.
Thank you for this today!
Glad I came over form sweet Holley's place!
Yes... it's one of my favorite visuals - is when I run toward Him - He is always running for me! So glad you stopped by for a spot of tea today!
DeleteOh, Karrilee, what a beautiful reminder. I never thought about grieving the Spirit, or breaking His heart when we give in to feeling alone! And you have given me much to think about lonely and alone. You are always so encouraging, it's like you know me!
ReplyDeleteAwww... Well I know the One Who knows you best - and we are pretty tight!
DeleteThankful you stopped by, my friend!
Karrilee, love this post, so encouraging, comforting and reassuring...especially like when you said, "take His Word and hide it in your heart! Lean in to it and rest in His embrace!" Such a great visual image of Grace <3 Thanks, again, for your comment on my blog, post this week, I really appreciate your feedback :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth! There is nothing better than leaning in to His embrace!
DeleteThankful for you stopping by and commenting as well!
That is such a wise difference to note: between being alone and being lonely. He is always with us!!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Jacey! So Much Amen, right?
Delete