It has been a bit of a slower week. The client flow is light. I got the first 1000 slide digitalized, and I am on my own, with lots of silence surrounding me. In such times I usually pick up a book. this time the book is "Searching for God Knows What" by Donald Miller. He has a wonderful chapter in which he talks about the fact that Adam, in the midst of Eden's glory, felt lonely. Bottom line? Adam needed someone else.
".... you and I", Miller writes, "were created to need each other... It is a striking thought to realize that, in paradixe, a human in incomplete without a host of other people."
Sitting here in the darkness of an early winter's evening, alone, I am struck by the truth of that statement. We need each other.
Of course that creates problems for those of us who are essentially loners. Yes, I know, it seems odd that a person who has been a minister, a fund raiser, a counselor, and an executive director, should see himself as a loner. But I am! I love my space. And when I am in a place where I am one on one with another... I don't always feel safe. I realized once that I would rather stand up in front of 500, even a 1000 people and talk, then be in a social situation where I would have to interact with one other person for any length of time.
And yet, I know that without those others whom I reluctantly (sometimes) let into my life, I am not complete. I need other people. And some people are gracious enough, or perhaps grace full enough to take the time to connect with me, and be a part of my life.
So in these days, as we go forward toward a new year, I would like to say thank you... to those special people who touch my life. I won't name you! There are too many, and no one likes a blog that is way too long. But I hope you know who you are.
And to all of you, I say thank you.....
I would like to close with a passage I often use as a benediction in my church. It comes from Paul, via J. B. Phillips. "Now may the God who suffers us to endure, and gives us a parent's care, give us a mind united toward one another. And then as one person we will sing from the heart, the praises of God..... So open your hearts to one another, as Christ as opened his heart to you, and God will be glorified". (Romans 15)
Blessings
Stephen
Being Alone is as necessary as companionship it is like any other relationship not about the time but about what you spend the time on.
ReplyDeleteOf course we need time alone. We also need time "alone" to listen to God. But we also need being with others, and being in community. It is always a matter of balance.
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