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I’m a twin so I’ve not experienced being alone like others have. My twin sister came first and 10 minutes later I followed. I like saying I’m the youngest in the family. When my husband was in a nursing home I witnessed an ugly kind of being alone. I saw first-hand what loneliness looks like. Sometimes even in a group of people you can feel lonely. If you’re feeling alone, my hope is that the following “5 W question words” will remind you of the full scope of God’s loving presence. No matter where you are, HE is near.

WHO?…Lord Jesus WHERE?…right where you are WHEN?…now WHAT?…joy in His presence WHY?…because He loves you and He said so

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb. 13:5

I’ve noticed that some TV advertisements flash lots of different scenes quickly across the screen to promote a product. All those pictures flashing one right after the other makes me halfway dizzy. My eyes go into what I’ve heard described as visual overload. The word overload reminds me of how racing thoughts can take us to what I call “thinking overload.” These unsettling times can stir up worry. Tiredness along with “what if” thoughts can quickly take us to thinking overload. If that happens and we feel exhausted and don’t know the next step to take, let’s choose to go to God’s Word for direction. His Word can be a remedy for thinking overload.

“Help!” is what I call a battle cry. A cry for help that ends with a call for Jesus to help is NEVER ignored. The following is my testimony that God hears prayers.

My husband’s battle cry the afternoon he had a brain bleed that caused a massive stroke was simply, “God, help me.” God answered. I watched God orchestrate His help through first responders, the ambulance driver, rush hour traffic, doctors, nurses, immediate family and our church family. My battle cry was, “I need you Jesus. Help me!” Without a doubt, His help was evident. I remember the ER doctor saying, “Mrs. Elmer, your husband needs a neurosurgeon NOW.” I answered, “I don’t know a neurosurgeon.” My pastor put his hand on my shoulder and began to pray. He simply prayed, “God, we need the best neurosurgeon for Carl. We ask this in Jesus’ name.” Upon arriving at another hospital prepared to meet Carl’s need for brain surgery, I was greeted by a nurse who said, “Mrs. Elmer, the best neurosurgeon is on call tonight.” When I heard those words I knew God had heard my prayer for help. Are you lonely, scared or feel like you’re in harm’s way? I encourage you to pray big prayers. God loves to do the impossible, because then people will say, “Only God could do that!”

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Here’s a picture of a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak songbird. God’s creative power has put an amazing bright red mark on this bird’s chest . I’ve never seen this bird in person, but I sure love his bright red mark. It makes me think of how God has marked believers with His seal of ownership. I want to think about that each day. The thought of God marking believers with a seal is empowering. Fear not. We can stand firm in Christ…secure, because we belong to Him.

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor. 1:21-22

We were married a little over 5 years before we had children. We thought maybe we couldn’t have children of our own. We decided to start the adoption process and in the meantime I got pregnant. In less than two years we had 2 boys! Motherhood was not what I expected. Our first son was six weeks premature. Both boys had allergies, tubes in their ears and tonsils removed all at a young age. It was hard working full time with many sleepless nights. I didn’t realize all the self-sacrifices involved in raising children. Even though motherhood requires self-sacrificing love, it’s definitely worth it. God used the experience of having and raising our boys to teach me about love, and to draw me closer to Jesus. I’m thankful that God blessed me with two sons. My love for each one is deep and forever.

My husband was all ready to do some power washing, but we needed some gasoline. I thought I’d hurry to Kroger, get some gas and be back in a flash. I hopped in the car, put it in reverse and out of the garage I came… to the sound of a tremendous crash! I forgot to close the hatchback door! Even though it was an accident, I felt really bad for what I did. My husband was standing right there in the garage when all this happened. He didn’t say a word, but you should’ve seen his face! Long story short, the hatchback door would not close. It was bent out of shape. I did $1,408.67 worth of damage! To keep the hatchback door from popping up and to keep the rain out, my husband taped the door closed by outlining the door with brilliant blue masking tape. While driving to the Collision Center I felt like the whole world knew what I did. Soon after things calmed down my husband cheered me up with these kind words. “It’s just a car. You don’t need to take full responsibility for what happened. We both forgot to close the door.” Those were kind words spoken just at the right time. I can laugh about all this now. But it sure wasn’t funny at the time.

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25

This year has sure made me stop and think about my future. I have thought about what really counts more than ever before. My health and safety matters for sure, but what really counts is knowing where I will spend eternity. Heaven is a place where there is no more loneliness, lies, cancer, broken relationships or pain. Instead, there’s laughter, health, freedom, singing and peace in God’s presence. Are you prepared to enjoy His presence in the place God has prepared for you? If you’re not, begin by accepting God’s gift of grace. Turn from those things that are displeasing to God. Believe Jesus is who He says He is and trust Jesus as you follow Him. Our future is secure in Him and Him alone. We have hope in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” John 11:25

I’ve had a lot of talks with God recently about growing older. I can’t say I’m fond of the process. I personally like this picture. Notice this is an older dandelion. This picture has captured the intricate inner beauty of this older weed. The young dandelion is yellow, but over time as the dandelion gets older it turns white. Sounds like my hair. This exquisite dandelion is a reminder to me that each season of life has a beauty and purpose. I hope you too find encouragement. No matter what season of life you’re in, you have a purpose and are wonderfully made by God.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16:2-6

We have lots of trees where we live and lots of birds. I love to hear the birds singing early in the morning. They don’t seem to have a worry in the world. Their singing makes me think they’re praising God for warmer weather, blue skies and longer days. This spring is not our usual spring. Things have changed! With social distancing and the closings of schools, churches, restaurants and hair salons my life and yours too has changed drastically. But even with all the changes there is hope, because Jesus doesn’t change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb.13:8) He still reigns. He is still with you and He still loves you. Even if you really don’t feel like it, choose to offer a sacrifice of praise to the One who never changes. Just like those worry-free birds let’s sing praise to our King Jesus!

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. Psalm 47:6-7