The Way of Perseverance

Uninvited Solitude

If I had my way, life would be a perpetual party with my beloved friends and family. It fills my heart with joy to share in celebrating their victories and in bearing their burdens of pain. My family of origin and family of faith have always been there to celebrate my victories and support me in my adversities.

Interestingly, my vocation affords me the opportunity to engage with people, both in their struggles and in their victories.

Human engagement energizes me.

As a young child, I was sheltered from the jagged edges of life. I expected that life would always be full of happiness. But that wasn’t how it was working out. Over the years, I faced severe physical disabilities. I also dealt with relationship struggles. Demands on my time, finances, and emotions seemed overwhelming.

These challenges forced solitude.

Quiet Comfort

Disappointment and depression forced detachment-isolation. Satan schemed to take advantage and isolate me from the presence of my Wonderful Counselor.

Almighty God stood before me, reached down, and took me by the hand. He led me into the solitude with Him-the only source for unshakable faith.

In attempts to bear the weight of my circumstances, I tried to siphon energy and solutions from “my people”.   That energy, counsel and comfort fell short of the seemingly bottomless pit of need in my life.

The God of All Comfort drew me to reconcile my life to His strength and peace. 

The wisest counsel and the deepest comfort only came in solitude with the Wonderful Counselor.

Alone with my Bible, my sorrow and my God, I received words of tenderness.

In solitude I found solace.

His name is Jesus.

Preserve me O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing …

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.

The boundry lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely, I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord;
with him at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.

You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:1-2, 5-8, 11

Adversity can be isolating.

Model and teach your child that solitude can bring exactly what you need from the only Source that can supply.

Have you, as the parent, experienced times of uninvited solitude? Were they edifyting or just lonely?

Does your child desire the busy street corner but is most often on the lonely deserted dirt road?

Please share with us the benefit those times of solitude for you or your child brought you.