Vern and Bee were left alone this morning. All by themselves with hours of solitude facing them before their caregivers make their appearance. Both dogs knew something was about to happen as they watched the suitcases skate across the floor and out into the vehicles. But when the door slammed closed, the reality of the situation became crystal clear.
How often do we feel the impact of being left behind? When my daughter was four, she was unintentionally left behind at a time share. With the number of people going to a restaurant, my husband and I assumed our daughter was in the other car. When we finally made it back to her, she was visibly shaken. When asked what she thought, she shared that she had formulated a plan for the rest of her life that excluded us.
At one time or another, we all have been left behind for some reason or another. We have felt the isolation and insecurity that comes with the solitude of being left alone. And when these times come again, and they will, how can we face them with a growing spirit?
God has never wanted us to feel alone. He created us to have a relationship with him and others. But knowing we would sin and separate ourselves from others, he not only allowed his Son to die for our sins, but also provided us with the Holy Spirit to abide within us, so we wouldn’t be alone.
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13)
The Holy Spirit lives within us and is a counselor, advocate, friend and so much more. But when I find myself alone, even in a large crowd, I know that I have a living spirit that lives within me that I know is there for me, at the times I need a friend the most.
As for Bee and Vern, they will be fine until their caregivers arrive. And until then, they have each other to lean up against in their comfortable home and backyard.
