What is the difference between alone, lonely, and loneliness? Here is how they make sense to me.

Alone (Your Design)

Alone refers to how you were made. There is only one of you. You are unique. There is no other person like you on this whole planet. So, you are a very, unique part of God’s creation. God wanted you to be a one-of-a-kind part of his creation. Alone means the only one.

Lonely (An Emotion)

Lonely is a feeling. It is part of your emotional system. It tells you, you are feeling disconnected. And, it’s time to go find a friend. Feeling lonely is your emotional warning system. You were made for community. So, when you have been detached too long, your warning system goes off. “It’s time to connect. Call your buddy. Go visiting. Reach out. Plan a lunch meeting. Or, call a friend and go exploring.”

LONELINESS (Unfilled Emotional Space)

• Loneliness appears in the quiet time between busyness, running errands, and completing tasks.
• Loneliness is unfilled emotional space. It is a neutral place waiting for you to fill it.
• Unfortunately some use it as a place to replay failures, losses, and negative memories.
• I’ve learned to use the open space of loneliness as a doorway. A doorway to what, you ask? The answer is to the spiritual side.

Here is how I discovered the doorway.

In my loneliness I cried out. “I am all alone!” Then, an unearthly, gentle, response was heard. “No, I AM here. I have been waiting for you. I long to daily walk and talk with you.” And, that was just the beginning.

Prayer

Father, you made me in your image. You made me for relationship with you. Help me use the quiet space of loneliness as our meeting place. I’m learning more every day about being a spiritual being. Keep growing me. Keep teaching me. And, thank you for being there for me. Amen.

Meditation
Jesus said to the apostles, “…And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20b (MEV)