My daughter lamented to me recently. She craves a deep friendship. A friendship with someone who really knows her — her humor, her heart, her laugh — and likes what she likes. I listened. And I told her that I get it. I know that feeling of wanting flesh-and-blood to “get” me and like me.
We sat with the longing for a minute. Or three. And we prayed that God would grow an earthly friendship for her. Because that’s a real need.
But then I gently led her further down the road. I tried to lift her chin with some truths that have encouraged me on this life journey.
Because the truth is that my almost-12-year-old girl is identifying the human experience of loneliness. Yes, God graces us with human beings who love us well and give us a taste of being fully known and fully accepted. But deep down, at least for me throughout my
We were made with longing. And when we seek after acceptance from the created more than our Creator, we’ll always be left with a twinge of loneliness. Because nothing down here on planet earth can ever reach the chasm that cleverly hides in our soul.
God made friendship. He gifts us with relationships. He’s graced me with precious people who speak life to me and laugh with/at me and…tell me when I have stuff in my teeth. We’re designed for relationship and need relationship. Don’t hear me say we don’t. But earthly friendships will never touch that deep down place designed for our God. They can’t. At their greatest potential, they lead us to Him.
I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Selah
Psalm 143:6
After my daughter and I talked, I paused and recognized a dialogue that’s been whispering behind the happenings of my own recent days. A dialogue where I admit a taste of loneliness. A dialogue through which I’ve seen the sweet invitation from my God to press more closely to Him.
Our world shouts of surface-level-relationship. But if in its midst you’ve tasted loneliness, be encouraged. It’s just your soul beckoning its Maker.
Fill me, Lord…
Has loneliness knocked on your heart’s door?
How do you respond?
What does it look like to “press into God”?
Oh Lara, I think this was just for me. 😉 I have had that earthly longing so much since we lost our buddy! God is still gently showing me that even though she knew me like no other friend has there was still a loneliness even with her here. He has opened the door for me to get to know HIM more closely than ever before. Miss you! Hugs!!
What sweet words, Wendy. Loss is so painful and at the same time God can graciously use it to draw us deeper into Him. Continued prayers, friend. Miss you too!