Holy in the Daily

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Twinges of Loneliness

lonely tree on a snow covered hillside

Have you ever felt a twinge of loneliness slip in at Christmas? I have, and not for lack of family or holiday spirit—both abound at my house.

Such moments sneak up unexpectedly, unbalancing expectations and causing me to wonder if my emotional health is declining. My husband is the one who suffers depression, not me—at least that is my reasoning.

Yet, I’m learning that part of experiencing the Holy includes visitations of loneliness, whether in the quiet of my study or hosting a holiday party. How can I long for God if I do not know the feel of lonely? How can Christmas have any depth unless I first experience aloneness?

Advent calls us to wait—wait for the One who has said he will never leave us or forsake us. What twinges of loneliness have marked your days this Advent season? How well are you waiting?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Jeanette Morris

    Well…since you asked. (Am I the only one brave enough to whine this year?)

    Our daughter Becky, our baby, was born on Christmas Day 1985. What a gift…! This year she isn’t able to be home so it’s our first time without her…and I’m feeling the loneliness of an empty nester at the one time of year I long for my nest to be full and overflowing.

    Separations don’t feel good at holidays. Things change. People come, go, die, move away, grow up. Jesus doesn’t go away. He is always at home for his birthday…:) Joy to the world!

  2. Susan Gaddis

    You were not the only brave one, Jeanette. Some wrote very lonely notes to me via email, not wanting to post them for the world to see. After hearing their stories, I don’t blame them. Sometimes waiting for the Lord is scary and difficult. Thank you for sharing your story. My prayers are with those of you who can’t share with the world, but ponder alone in your hearts God’s coming.

  3. Lilly Green

    I’m happy to have my eldest and his wife and my grandbaby here for Christmas, along with my youngest who still lives at home. But regardless of a few or many for holidays, or any day, there is a cosmic lonliness that just creeps in because we are not home yet. The dissatisfaction with relationships, jobs, politics–you name it–will never be resolved satisfactoriyl. The longing will at least partially remain till we are with the Lord.

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