Finding the Lonely
Miriam and I had a gift card to one of our favorite breakfast spots and our foreign exchange student was on a math field trip so we took off for an early morning date. The restaurant was already taking names for a 15 minute wait. Shortly after we sat down I saw a single, elderly woman sit down near us. At first I thought she was waiting on someone to join her but when her food arrived, my heart ached. In a room filled with laughter and noise, she quietly ate her breakfast alone.
When I experience those moments I never know what to do so I desperately and fervently search the heart of God for what He would have me do. I wish I could tell you that what I hear is always clear cut and easy to determine but it is not. I wanted to express care without embarrassing her. I figured the least I could do is pay for her meal and let her know that someone was praying for her.
Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I asked the server to bring me her bill and to inform her that a pastor in town noticed her and wanted to pay her bill, hoping that she would sense the love of God today. A couple minutes later her server went to her table, placed his hand on hers and gave her the message and she smiled.
I found out why the woman’s server was so relaxed in touching her hand. When my server brought me her bill I was told that she eats at that location twice a day, every day. My server, Autumn, let me know how much this would mean to her.
King David wrote in Psalm 25:16-17, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.” God models for us what we are to do when we see those who are lonely. We are to be gracious to the one who is in need. Believe it or not, the lonely are all around you. Some are hiding behind a smile. Others are masking their loneliness in their laughter. Be certain that you will meet someone who is lonely this week.
There are several things you can do to prepare for your next encounter with the lonely
- Pray that God will help you to see those who need your expression of graciousness.
- Keep cash folded in your wallet or purse that is dedicated to bless the lonely.
- Go on a field trip with your family to a public place and see if you can spot anyone who seems lonely and bless them in some tangible way.
- Sit with someone at church you have never sat beside before. Tell them you are doing it just to let them know you love and care for them.
Our own creativity and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit are the only things stopping us from being a blessing to the lonely. Next time I go to that restaurant again I will be looking for that woman. The next time I will ask if I can sit with her and get to know her story. I know the Holy Spirit is already setting the stage for that meeting and He is setting the stage for you as well. Now, let’s go find the lonely one who is crying out to God today.