A few weeks ago, my family and I spent some time at the happiest place on earth. No, I was not sitting at a concert enjoying a McRib sandwich, although that would be a close second place-I was at my other happy place down in Orlando.
It was nice to get away for a while and enjoy each other’s company (and the company of about thirty thousand other people) some travel delays…wait, I digressed already! The escape from the daily grind was truly appreciated and relaxing despite the common, and I suppose expected disruptions and inconveniences that accompany a vacation with sixteen other family members at one of the busiest times of the year at the Magic Kingdom.
Now back home, I love to rise early in the morning and just enjoy the still moments while everyone is yet asleep. I love to spend much-needed time alone with my Creator and just talk. I value that peaceful hour, just before sunrise when you can hear your own clear thoughts waft upon the soft untainted air. I missed that calm at this point in my trip. So, with the constant flock of humans around me, I decided to seek some quiet and alone time. I did, however, unexpectedly find a different kind of flock in my early morning getaway. A lone beautiful, white egret, who I am assuming had the same idea as me, strolled through tall grass near the lake’s edge. He and I were the only two creatures on this chilly morning. I stood behind him and didn’t make a sound and I doubt he knew I was there. I wondered if he felt alone. Did he ever get lonely? Did he have a disagreement with his egret family the night before or did he just, like me this morning, enjoy being alone at times.
Being alone and feeling lonely are two different states of mind. The latter is being alone and feeling alone. Even when I’m alone, I don’t often feel lonely. I can feel God’s presence with me. I know there is someone who cares for me, even if I cannot physically see him by my side. That bond comes from a relationship built on trust-from years of dependence on a father who promised to never leave and not forsake me. Even when I cannot say the same for my own actions every now and again. How many times to God, he must see me like that lone egret, wandering away in the grass, satisfying my own desires. When I’m not there for him, he remains there for me, waiting patiently for my return.
That bird and I went our own ways that day, but I will never forget the lesson I learned that morning. It’s ok to be alone and even feel lonely every now and then. I just need to remember there remains a friend by my side-even when I chose to forget he is there.
JZ
It was nice to get away for a while and enjoy each other’s company (and the company of about thirty thousand other people) some travel delays…wait, I digressed already! The escape from the daily grind was truly appreciated and relaxing despite the common, and I suppose expected disruptions and inconveniences that accompany a vacation with sixteen other family members at one of the busiest times of the year at the Magic Kingdom.
Now back home, I love to rise early in the morning and just enjoy the still moments while everyone is yet asleep. I love to spend much-needed time alone with my Creator and just talk. I value that peaceful hour, just before sunrise when you can hear your own clear thoughts waft upon the soft untainted air. I missed that calm at this point in my trip. So, with the constant flock of humans around me, I decided to seek some quiet and alone time. I did, however, unexpectedly find a different kind of flock in my early morning getaway. A lone beautiful, white egret, who I am assuming had the same idea as me, strolled through tall grass near the lake’s edge. He and I were the only two creatures on this chilly morning. I stood behind him and didn’t make a sound and I doubt he knew I was there. I wondered if he felt alone. Did he ever get lonely? Did he have a disagreement with his egret family the night before or did he just, like me this morning, enjoy being alone at times.
Being alone and feeling lonely are two different states of mind. The latter is being alone and feeling alone. Even when I’m alone, I don’t often feel lonely. I can feel God’s presence with me. I know there is someone who cares for me, even if I cannot physically see him by my side. That bond comes from a relationship built on trust-from years of dependence on a father who promised to never leave and not forsake me. Even when I cannot say the same for my own actions every now and again. How many times to God, he must see me like that lone egret, wandering away in the grass, satisfying my own desires. When I’m not there for him, he remains there for me, waiting patiently for my return.
That bird and I went our own ways that day, but I will never forget the lesson I learned that morning. It’s ok to be alone and even feel lonely every now and then. I just need to remember there remains a friend by my side-even when I chose to forget he is there.
JZ
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