Recent comments by presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann have stirred up the discussion about gay marriage once again. While speaking to a group of high school…
24
Aug
2012
Joy Wilson
The Author
Joy Wilson
Joy Wilson is the author of Uncensored Prayer: The Spiritual Practice of Wrestling With God and a contributor to Not Alone (both Civitas Press, 2011). She and her husband, Bud, are two life-long hippies. They live in Bartlett, TN, with six cats, two dogs, and no TV. She is part of an eclectic group of Jesus-followers called Outlaw Preachers and has a passion for prison ministry. Also, Joy is an advocate for middle-aged and senior women, and anyone who suffers from depression. Joy’s website is joyleewilson.org and you can contact her at joyleewilson@gmail.com.
Being single is not alone.
Whether by choice, or force,
or no other option,
times of solitude aren’t isolated.
We all have – in fact, need –
times in our lives
where solo is “what is” –
chances to reinvent,
or reverse what’s wrong,
re-fill our “giving well”.
But restoration never happens
when we buy the lie of isolation:
no one else is there.
Not only is God ever with us,
but other hearts are eternally intertwined
with ours, with laces of love,
or horror, or sweetness
or penetrating pain
that never goes away.
We were created connected
with the right to choose
who we let in our sanctuary,
and sometimes it seems only loneliness
will be our soul-mate for life.
And yet lonely isn’t alone.
God said, “I will never leave you”
and always partners us with people
who understand that separation
can be a place of healing or hell.
We are the only ones who decide
where we visit, hide, or abide.
God, help us reach out of our pain,
or at least stand in the open door.
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