You Are Never Alone: Encountering the Unconditional Love of God

It was a blistering hot Sunday and it just happened to be my birthday. It was 10:30 a.m. and I had just arrived for the start of church. I was happy to be there to worship God, but I wasn’t looking forward to sitting alone for service. I was hoping to sit with a dear friend, but I soon realized she was absent that day.

I thought to myself, That’s ok, God. It will be You and me today.

Scanning the sanctuary, I decided to sit in the section to the far left of the stage. I walked up a few rows to get closer to the front and took the first seat at the start of a mostly empty row. I placed my purse in the seat to my right and stood up to worship.

I noticed a young man in the row in front of me. He was alone too. We were seated in the same seats but in different rows.

I wondered for a moment, “What’s his story?”, “Why is he sitting alone too?”

But, before I could speculate or make up a story, a young couple walked in and sat in the row in front of the young man. They recognized him and exchanged pleasantries for a moment and then went into worshipping. From where I sat, I could tell this was a newlywed couple—the youthfulness, the innocent touches of closeness. I smiled to myself and thought, “So sweet. I’m happy for them.”

Then a few minutes later two more young couples came in and went to the row of the first couple. They all knew each other, even the young man who was seated in the row in front of me.

Then it happened. They invited him to join their row. He was no longer by himself. He was invited in. I was happy for him, but sad for me. He was my silent partner in singleness, and they just took him away.

I attempted to enter back into worship, but now I was faced with the backs of three newlywed couples and the loving closeness they were displaying was starting to take its toll on my heart. I could feel myself fighting back tears wondering when it would be my turn to experience that loving closeness with a husband of my own. Heartbreak set in.

Watching them, I was painstakingly reminded that I was alone.

I looked at the backs of three young couples and wished that was me. I wished that I had that special someone to do life with. Someone to hold hands with. Someone to gently place their hand on the small of my back as a simple way to stay connected, to reflect that “coupleness.” Before I knew it salty hot tears began streaming down my cheeks.

As we sat down and worship transitioned into the message, I was still distracted. I thought about moving somewhere else, but knew that would be silly. There are couples everywhere. So, I gave myself a pep talk, blotted the tears from my cheeks and stayed in my seat.

As the pastor spoke, I struggled to stay engaged. I thought this message while really good isn’t speaking to where I am at or what I’m feeling at this moment … then God.

Right in the middle of the message God spoke or as a dear friend would say, ‘You gotta kiss from God’.

I frantically typed what I heard into the notes section on my phone, ‘Jesus is right here with you in the middle of your pain, longing, and disappointment even when you’re not expecting Him. He is working behind the scenes. You are not alone. He is with you. Get alone in the presence of God instead of focusing on your pain.’

I was like, “Wow!” God sees me right now, in my loneliness … and He cares. 

God had paused the message just to minister to my lonely heart. I felt myself buoyed by the love of God and I was grateful.

In that moment I realized God gave me the sweetest gift I could have received on my birthday—Himself.

Today if you are struggling with feelings of loneliness, hold closely to His promises found in Scripture to remind you that you are never alone. 

Psalm 34:18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath (MSG)

Alisha Robinson is a California girl who currently resides in Chandler, Arizona. She is new to the Christian blogging world but is excited to share her heart and her faith journey with readers. When Alisha is not digging into the scriptures or spending time with friends and family, she enjoys hanging out in her kitchen whipping up gourmet confections.