It’s been awhile since I’ve sent my last post. This has been quite the month and one that set us back a bit.

On June 9th we had to say goodbye to our handsome, sweet and sensitive 10 year old dog Roc.  It happened unexpectedly and one month later, we are still in shock, grief and loneliness.

Thank you so much for the words of comfort and encouragement from everyone as we navigate the void of him not being here, in our home and in our lives.

We will miss him terribly and look for ways to remember him in all his quirky approaches to life that put so many smiles on our faces and caused us to laugh out loud.

We know that Roc’s mission will go on through his children’s book, as it continues “to bring kids and pups together in friendship so no more dogs have to be alone, scared or homeless”.

 

As I write this, you all know, we are in the middle of a pandemic, economic crises and our world as we knew it to be has been turned upside down with a threat of never being the same again.

There is a major thread so palatable, it rushes over us like a heavy wave with such force it takes our breath away.

More and more I’m sensing an undercurrent of loneliness in our daily lives and on social media; that a high number of “friends”, likes, loves are unable to penetrate.

Sometimes that heavy wave feels more like a tsunami.

 

Loneliness…feeling alone or separate from others, or as feeling empty.

That definitely sums it up. Separation…and not being able to get together at will, or engage in the activities we once loved and looked forward to, does leave us with an emptiness we can’t quite describe.

The loneliness I, and many others feel, is caused by a number of things as we navigate several voids brought on by the state of the world as we know it; such as…

• lack of community, face to face contact
• deep divisions in changing beliefs and culture
• loss of loved ones, human and animal
• absence of outlets and resources that can be trusted to tell the truth
• paralyzing fear that nothing will be the same again.

 

Two years ago, I came to a point in my life where I was exhausted, unhealthy, working extremely long hours, deeply in debt and striving for perfection and success.

I was surrounded with friends and loved ones, but feeling that “heavy heart loneliness”. 

 

I don’t know where you are in your journey or where loneliness comes up in your life.

But, in seeking relief for my loneliness, I was eager and hungry for the TRUTH; 

Something just wasn’t right.  What I once believed in and depended on as truth, no longer added up.  To be honest, I was tired of the rat race and screaming from the depths of my being, “Stop the world!  I want to get off!”

I decided to start over, let go of the striving and current world view, wipe the slate of my life clean and take it from “the beginning”.

 

I began reading voraciously for something that would fill the voids of emptiness.

I also stopped listening to so many different opinions coming across my news-feeds.

I had pretty much given up on humanity as a source of truth.  I always believed in God, and if anyone can be trusted it would be Him.

In His Word I started reading Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning…”

 

In this world where up is down and down is up, there is hope!

 

As I read, I found instruction, direction and answers to the many questions I was asking.

The more I surrendered all the hurt, the heartache, the struggling to the only one who can heal my heart, the more He filled me with His faithful love and promises.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you”

Romans 13:5

Are you in a lonely place right now?

Do you find it difficult to talk to friends because of strong beliefs and emotions?

Have you lost someone you loved dearly recently?

Finding it tough to find resources that can be trusted to tell the truth?

Yes, we still need companionship…and we were made to seek it and enjoy our families, friends and community.

 

But…in a world where promises are broken and nothing is sure,

 there is no substitution for an intimate relationship with your Creator!

Jesus knows who you are.  He understands how you feel.  He knows what you need.

 He alone CAN be TRUSTED with your loneliness!

So, when loneliness gets to be too much,

Look Up, Smile

and reach for the one who knows your heart!