Turn loneliness into delight

PATRICIA KADICK, STAFF EDITOR

God, who is Love itself, already fills all space—and each and every yearning heart. His presence naturally negates a dread of being alone or feeling empty. Realizing this truth can bring a feeling of stunning delight, an inner glow, to our solitude.

I remember a day when that delight came to me in an unusual way. A wave of loneliness had come out of the blue with suddenness and force. But on this particular occasion, I saw it as something outside myself—actually like a bubble bouncing closer and closer, as if an invitation to indulge in selfish longing. The fact that a bubble is transparent, and takes on whatever hues surround it, made the image even more compelling.

And right then it was as if God, like the Shepherd He is, was smiling directly on me, asking, "Will you welcome this transparent-empty-nothing?" And saying, "Just blow, let it float away. You're not solitary. You are infinity's darling, the sum of all."See Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 259. And I smiled and watched that bubble of "all alone" fade into hints of pink and green until it disappeared, replaced by warmth and light.

Since then, a calm glow has accompanied my solitude. Plus an extra bonus—a more hospitable heart that cherishes the hope that all will feel the Shepherd's warm smile compelling them to accept their very own holy wholeness.

We hope you'll find delight, and healing, in the ideas our writers share this week about God, everyone's particular Shepherd. His comforting arms and precise directing assure that no one is left alone, whether in a crowd or in solitude.

WHAT I SAY UNTO YOU I SAY UNTO ALL, WATCH.
—JESUS

The Christian Science Sentinel was founded in 1898 by Mary Baker Eddy, and its mission remains the same: "to hold guard over Truth, Life, and Love." The Sentinel continues to report on the unlimited ways that the healing power and presence of the Christ activates, uplifts, and transforms the lives of everyday people around the world.

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