This week’s blog is an excerpt from How Long, O Lord, How Long? Devotions for the Unemployed and Those Who Love Them, By Dale Kreienkamp.
I’M FEELING FORGOTTEN THESE days. I’m feeling alone. I spend much more time by myself. At times I reflect and think about the people I worked with. I wonder how they are doing and how they are dealing with issues without me. I wonder if they ever think of me. I don’t feel very needed. How about you?
If you get a moment, go take a rock of any size. Walk to a small pond or lake and throw it in the water. Watch what you see happening. First, there will be a splash in the water and the bigger the rock, the bigger the splash. Regardless of the size of the rock, it will quickly go out of sight under water. Then you’ll see some ripples going out from the splash and soon the water will look just like it did before you threw the rock into it.
I feel like that rock.
I was in the same place for 25 years. I knew many people and many knew me. I felt like I was a big rock. What I realize now is that life quickly returned to normal for those I left behind. Me? I’m feeling alone and forgotten. How about you right now?
It’s not uncommon to lose touch with those with whom you worked for a variety of reasons. It’s certainly not intentional on anyone’s part. When you left your job, there was more work for those left behind, so they are very busy. You’ve also lost one of the things you had in common—your work. Conversations are much easier when we have something in common. Another reason might be that your friends are uncomfortable at the thought of talking to you. What do they say? Remember, they are sorry for you, and they may also be glad it wasn’t them.
Even though I might feel alone, I know that I’m not. I can’t see it, but God’s connected to me, holding my hand and yours, too.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand Psalm 73:23.
When he holds our hand, it’s to remind us we aren’t alone, he’s there with us. And because he’s with us, we shouldn’t be afraid.
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you” Isaiah 41:13.
When you’re sitting alone, feeling forgotten, picture yourself walking alongside your heavenly father; he’s holding your hand and you don’t have a care in the world. What a great visual to keep in mind
