Loneliness vs. Security

I was recently at an event full of people. Everyone mingled so effortlessly; sharing stories, thoughts, and ideas. I felt so lonely. I am rarely comfortable in a setting such as this, and would rather be at home in a safe and secure setting. But, I politely smiled and mustered up the confidence to make connections with others in order to dampen my insecurities. Much to my surprise, by the end of the event - my emotions shifted, and I was enjoying conversation. No, I wasn't the one doing most of the talking or engaging in elaborate stories, but I was sitting at a table with a mother who was struggling with her 4-year old's behaviors since the birth of a new sibling. Suddenly, I didn't feel so lonely anymore... and was ready to lend an ear to listen. I gradually gained security.

Loneliness. Such a dreary word.

In our quest to have Whit gain weight - he has decided to get sick and run fever with no other symptoms. Just the thing we wanted - him to NOT eat! In order for me to make my appointments with work today, Mr. and Mrs. Post graciously offered to keep him. Upon his dismissal from our house - Chap was lonely.

Chap had his own set of issues last night - some that had the potential of landing us in the hospital this morning. However, things resolved on their own, and we were free to stick to our planned agenda for last night and today. In Chap's distress last night, he simply said as he was going to bed... in a room that every other night is shared with his twin brother... "I need Whit." No tears or sadness... just a simple statement that he needed his brother's company.

He was lonely.

This morning, as we went throughout our routine to get ready for school and work - I gave Chap his juice. His response... "Where's Whit's juice?" I answered that it wasn't here, and he said - "Whit's sick!" I affirmed his statement, and we moved on to getting clothes on. "Where's Whit's shirt?" "Where's Whit's diaper?" "Where's Whit's shoes?" "Whit's sick!" We get in the car to go to school... "Where's Whit's backpack?"

We drove along for about 10 minutes, listening to childrens' songs on the radio, both Maggie and Chap just listening. Then, I hear a sweet little voice from the back of my car say, "I miss Whit."

He was lonely.

Whit came back home this evening, and although he didn't feel great - he helped Chap return to himself. As we were getting ready and settled for bed, Chap's choice of song was "Jesus" - aka - Jesus Loves Me. Such a simple song, yet so profound.

In all of our loneliness, if only we can remember that one statement... Jesus loves me... and let it ground us in the truth of who we are in God. We don't have to be lonely - God is with us! Just as Whit's presence gave Chap security, so can God's presence give us security.