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A different time. A different season. Loneliness never plays fair. It steals my joy and mocks the Lord’s work. Yet my God is with me. He prepares my path before every catastrophe, meets my needs. But sometimes He waits for me to ask Him first.
This came from a time working second shift, closing every night. Trying not to complain while missing out on time with friends and family. I was wishing I had more people to share life with, as opposed to guarding my heart from getting swept away into gossip and other chaos. Here I am about a year later (still working second shift at another job…which my sleep schedule prefers), and the Lord has abundantly blessed me. He gave me new relationships despite my unpopular work schedule and has allowed me to live in full. He continues to answer my prayers.
I feel may be re-entering this season of being “alone” with new changes at my job and the cons of my work schedule. Yet I am learning to praise God in all circumstances. My suffering is worthwhile, I am not alone.
Empty chairs have become my friend.
I find them during sermons on an early Sunday,
They hold my purse as I drive,
Support my feet as I take my lunch.
Sometimes I am not bothered,
Other times my heart begins to hurt.
I count my blessings,
But I get sidetracked with the numbers:
Too many empty chairs.
Does that make me ungrateful?
Is contentment without want?
Guilt hushes my sorrows,
Yet I believe better times are to come.
New faces excite me,
Internal hope somehow still unwavering.
As sweater weather begins to fade away,
Perhaps this second wave of waiting will end.
The Lord has never failed me.
Maybe these chairs are a gift,
To show the availability my life has.
One day all these chairs will be full
And I’ll see the smiles I have prayed for.
oflightandcolor 