He knows when I am lonely

I’m sure everyone, at one point or another, has felt the way that I do today.   Today I thought long and hard about the difference in feeling lonely and being alone.  You'd probably agree that these two things are very very different.  You see, I look at "lonely" as a feeling, not always a circumstance.  Because the most lonely I've ever been is not when I've been in isolation - sure, those are some pretty down and out days when I don't put myself around others and experience the joy of company and conversation.  But, what I mean is that the hardest type of loneliness is when you are surrounded by people but you don't feel like they understand you or you don't know how to portray what's in your mind and in your heart because you fear that they just won't get it.  And then there is the other kind of lonely when you have someone in your life that does "get you" but they remove themselves from you without much explanation.  Certainly not the explanation or compassion that you'd think a relationship filled with "I love you's" and "You're the best thing that ever happened to me" comments would deserve.  Today, I experienced both of these feelings of loneliness.  It's not my family's fault or my friends' fault that I feel lonely at times.  It is just part of us.  We are supposed to feel loneliness to a certain extent, in my opinion, so that we know the happiness that comes from others - like friends and family. 
My loneliness today didn't last for long, though.  Something really "God-sent" happened to me - which I know was a blessing for being so disciplined in my prayer and quiet times lately.  First of all, let me tell you something exremely weird - I haven't cried.  Someone I loved dearly and considered my best friend turned their back on what a wonderful relationship we had, and I haven't cried.  This is weird because I am a girl who FEELS.  I have super-emotions!!! I am a giver, a lover, a fighter, and I DO NOT believe in giving up on someone that you share so much with.  So for me not to cry, I am astounded (in a really good way) by my strength and dignity I have shown.  But, I still hurt on the inside.  I still wonder "why" and think "I never thought someone so gentle and that adored me SO much would just quit on me" but I somehow manage not to let it get me down or keep me down for long.  I turn to the one thing that will NEVER forsake me, never give up on me, and never ever ever let me down.  His promises are kept, no matter what and he never ignores me!!!

I am so glad I have a personal relationship with the Lord.  I'm free of worry and anxiety and sadness when I look into His Word and read the beautiful truth.  That there IS A PLAN FOR ME, there is a future for me, and there is a God who I can count on while I seek this plan and future. 

So, when I started feeling misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misjudged and when the feelings of lonely starting creeping in, I opened up my book case and grabbed a wonderful devotional, "Do You Know Who I Am?" by Angela Thomas.  I kid you not, I opened the book and turned right to this page...

It was an absolute reminder from the Lord that He knows my pains, He knows me weaknesses, He knows my heart's desires.  After I sat there and took a break from my 'project' I was working on and read this chapter that I just happened to open the book up to, I took in the awesome feeling of relief and felt so many worries just fade away.  I know that I will have lonely days.  I've experienced things in my life, like the fire, that few people will understand (and that's a good thing, I don't wish that upon anyone) and I know that life is an individualistic journey and we all are different - which can sometimes make for feelings of not fitting in, feeling left out, being rejected, being sad, and being misunderstood - but I also know that the Lord will not put any type of feelings, or any circumstance, or any tragedy in our lives without also giving us the strength and ability to handle it.  That's why I was meant to open the book up to page 111, Ch. 7 titled "Do You Know I Am Lonely? He is Here." 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

By reading that and praying for God to help me with my loneliness, I was able to turn the pain and sadness of being lonely into a feeling of solitude. Solitude is a word intended to express the glory of being alone.  I enjoyed this quiet time... the silence, the stillness.  I was calmed... because I know He loves me, He cares for me, and He is always here. 



peace and love

baily

God will honor the woman who faces her

 loneliness and then decides to live with integrity.

Romans (my favorite!) 13:8

In my devotional today, I randomly opened up to Week 32//Friday on page 196.  Haha.  Because, I always do that.  I told my Mom the other day there was 'not a chance' that I would ever actually go IN ORDER when doing a year-long devotional.  I mean, to have my attention for a few minutes daily is a chore enough, to get me to do it in order and step-by-step.... not going to happen!!

WAAAYYYY too A.D.D.!  I think I have entertained my Mom quite a bit the past couple of weeks as she has witnessed how profound my attention defecit can be at times!  It's definitely been a strange time in my life, but I'm just a baby bird with broken wings and her Momma is getting baby bird better.  Gosh, me and my analogies - especially the bird/freebird thing.  Haha.  Anyway, I just got veered off course talking about attention defecit disorder... (ya think!?) 

Back to my devotional... I loved the scripture and if you know me and my 'saving grace' (hint: the book of Romans) then you know this one is a very favorite of mine! Romans 13:8

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

I love this one right now in my life!  My parents are living examples of the most unconditionally loving people I may ever know.  I've lost some really close people to me here lately, in the past few months since everything began unraveling for me, but my family and best friends have remained warriors in their faith in me and without that belief they have in me and the hope I get from it, I wouldn't be able to fight my battles every single day. 

This verse just spoke to me in so many ways and made me realize what blessings I have around me and who take me in to make sure that I do what's best for me from here on out.  4

I love how God speaks to me every morning as I go about my quiet time with Him.  He has shown me so much in recent weeks and I continue to love the life He has given me because despite the turbulence it is blessed, indeed!!!

peace and love

baily

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

Hopefully the Word of God is something that brightens your day - like it does me.

I have been spending so much time in reading the Bible here in recent months. 

The Lord has definitely been at work in my heart, even though the tribulations I find myself in may seem to

lead people to believe that I bear no fruit.  I do, though.  My life is fruitful with many blessings from God.

As Christmas swings into full force I can't help but be filled with celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Maybe my trials & tribulations are there to remind me just how enormous God's love for me is.  

God came to this world as human in the flesh and lived a life full of love and without sin.

Knowing that, along with His unselfish death on the cross, is a testimony to my faith in Him.

And my faith in Him is exactly what has carried me through past trial and tribulation and what I cling to at this very moment.  I can feel God at work in my life and all around me. 

That is why my fears about everything else in life are subsided when I hand them over to Him.

Hebrews 13:8 is one of the most comforting verses, in my opinion.

It tells me that Jesus is the one man that will stay the same and always love me. 

No heartache, no abandonment, no anxiety and worry, and no changing.

Sounds like the perfect guy - huh?!?

The same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Full of FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE.

I am eager to tell you all about the work that the Lord is doing in my life.

I am very much clay, and He is very much the potter.

BUT FIRST...

Will you puh-lease leave your favorite Bible verse for me?

Pretty, pretty please???

peace AND love

baily jordan

To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present.

- 1 Corinthians 12:9-10a



True Devotion

I spend my days doing the normal things for your typical twenty-two year old girl.  As a student, I study and go to class.  As a friend, I socialize.  As a daughter, I call home to Mom and Daddy.  As a Child Development Associate, I do my practicum hours at the preschool.  As a "dog-mom", I play and go to the park.  As a writer, I blog.  As a blogger, I surf the internet.  As a Christian, I pray - but I cannot honestly say that I keep myself disciplined about reading the Bible each day or staying focused on my various devotional books.  So, to better my relationship with the Lord, I am going to add a "Daily Scripture" post to my blog.  That way, since I am either blogging and/or blog-hopping on a daily basis, I can post the scripture that I read and that inspires me each particular day.  Not only will this help MY relationship with Christ, but it may offer inspiration to someone who reads "The 'Other' Sister." 
I'm very fortunate to have a loving father on this earth just as we are all very fortunate to have a loving heavenly Father.  The father that is Daddy to me gives me a devotional book every year at Christmas.  A couple of years ago he gave me "God Bless The Crimson Tide: Devotions for the Die-Hard Alabama Fan."  Last year he gave me "Daily Steps for God Chicks," a 90-day devotional written by a heroic survivor of breast cancer.  This year, he gave me "Four Paws from Heaven: Devotions for Dog Lovers."  Just as my heavenly Father knows what is best for me at each stage of my life, each devotional book that my earthly father has given me has been right on point for the high's and low's of my life as I grow up.  They are all based on The Bible, which I know is the book that can get me through ANY high's and ALL low's in my life. 
From childhood to adulthood, God's word is the lamp unto our feet.
So, this is my reason and story behind a new addition to my blog. A daily scripture for inspiration, love, comfort, and blessing.
I hope everyone finds the way, the truth, and the life through the Lord and the pages in the Holy Bible.

Peace & Love,
BJJ
The 'Other' Sister