Loneliness, Compassion

Preaching Magazine Illustrations

In a recent Turning Point Daily Devotional, David Jeremiah writes: “A California newspaper recently published a picture of a note scribbled by a woman named Wanda. She slid it under the front door of her neighbor, whose name she did not even know. The note said: ‘Mrs.? Would you consider to become my friend? I’m 90-years-old—live alone and all my friends have passed away. I am so lonesome and scared. Please—I pray for someone.’ 

Thankfully the neighbor, Marleen Brooks, found the note and went right over to Wanda’s house with cupcakes, and the two have formed a wonderful friendship. Furthermore, Marleen has campaigned on social media to encourage others to be on the lookout for lonely neighbors who may live right next door.

When we express our loneliness to someone, whether written or verbalized, we feel better about our circumstances and it can lead to friendship. It doesn’t do any good to internalize all our feelings when we should instead be letting others know of our needs.

On the other hand, some of us simply need to look next door, down the street, and into the nursing homes, hospitals, and retirement communities. People need people, and people who need people often need the Lord.”