Day Three - Loneliness

Automat by Edward Hopper 1927
De Moines Art Center, Iowa.

Surrounded by people, and yet still feeling lonely.  Loneliness is a feeling, and like all feelings, it emanates from facts.

After the death of her husband, Esther Rantzen famously said,

"I have good friends.  People I can go out for a meal with.  People I can go to the theatre with.  People I can walk in the countryside with.  Since my husband died I have no one I can do nothing with."  

Sometimes feelings exist and should be respected.  

Here is what the Lord says to Joshua as the people move on from the death of their great leader.

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

PRAYER:  Give us the strength we need for this day, and the next.  We live with you, and in you we find the courage we need.