It's a journey - meeting people and saying goodbye, making mistakes and then making sure we avoid making the same ones. Getting hurt and falling down, taking time out before we pull ourselves up again and have another go. And right now, it feels like I've travelled the journey alone for quite a long time, without realising it. There have been people in my life; special people, who have been the support I needed, the comfort I longed for, the light in my dark nights, but then they have left, and other people have replaced them. No, I've never been alone. But I have lived with myself for so long, it's the only thing I am completely familiar with, unlike the comings and goings around me. As a result, I do get quite lonely at times. And that's the challenge; to overcome these strong emotions, moving forward and focusing on God, because He is greater than feelings. He never changes, He is not unpredictable like feelings. Apart from myself - though I am changing and a growing, learning being, He is the other One I have known all my life, because He is always there.
These past weeks have shown me this: feelings and emotions are good; they are what make us human. They are what make us cherish happiness and the times we have with special people. But they are not everything. God is bigger than everything, including feelings. So when we are down, lonely, jealous, whatever, we can remember that God is greater, and these emotions will pass. And when we are happy or having a good time, then it is just as worth while to remember that God is still greater. He should be our guide, not our circumstances.
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:7 - 8.