The TWO sides of being ALONE

To express the pain of being alone is "loneliness." To express the glory of being alone is "solitude."
Loneliness is pretty common these days and is increasing more and more. As common as single parenting is, many kids are lonely because their parents are busy working. Many elderly people are shut in their homes and are alone and lonely while the world outside keeps moving. There are many causes & reasons people isolate themselves and the result of that is loneliness. We were created to be relational and loneliness is not okay within us.
Solitude on the other hand, is when you finally get home from a busy day and turn down the noise and curl up with a good book. The joy of being alone is time for yourself to unwind & relax. A young mother looks forward to having some alone time after the kids go to school or when they go to bed in the evening.
Jesus often went off alone to pray and to meditate. He did this not just to get away from people. He did this so that He could be with God. He sought out his heavenly Father, he listened to him, he communed with him. We would do well by following his example. He beckons us to do the same. Not just for seeking times of solitude, but also when loneliness tries to invade us.
Jesus himself is never alone. He is not all by himself. He never feels loneliness, because God has always been a fellowship. He has always been Trinity- the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. With Him we are never alone.