Today I am thankful for alone time. I am the type of person that needs ample alone time in order to function and love people well. As I reflect on the alone time I’ve had over the past 30 years I recognize the different types: A) That which was sought out. B) That which was given to me in a season of life. And C) That which I longed for but rarely got.
I think back on many years where I practiced Type A alone time. Through out high school and college, I loved people but sought out time to myself where I could think, process, grow, and learn about God through experiencing Him in the quiet of my room. Then I remember a season of loneliness where I longed for more community, a husband, a church body, a group of people who loved me, etc. but didn’t get it. I look back on that Type B alone time and realize it was an incredible gift from God. I was forced to be comfortable by myself and to find my identity in God alone and not in who I hung out with. I remember it being so liberating. I even got so comfortable with being alone that I chose to go to a movie by myself—no shame accompanied me, just excitement! If God hadn’t given me that season of loneliness, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Being alone with God shapes who I am when I’m around people.
I now have Type C alone time; I search for it every chance I get, but only get it every once in a while. As a mother, wife, friend, community group leader, and much more, I find it difficult to get away. When I do truly get away it is due to the graciousness of my husband and his family, who so willingly watch Sybil and free me up.
I am so thankful for any alone time I get these days. I feel blessed to get it at all. I also am incredibly grateful for the time I had in the past to just spend hours by myself, with the Lord, in the quiet of my room, my house, the world. There are so many precious moments to recount during those seasons. Some of my favorite moments of life have happened when I am alone but surrounded by people in this crazy world. Feeling an intimacy with your Maker in the midst of a crowd of strangers is a very special feeling. I then find I belong in Him alone.
Single people (yes, again I speak to you :) ), soak up these days where it is just you. You have the opportunity to be alone with the Lord, with no interruptions. You’ll never get this time back. It’s precious. See it as a gift and please, don’t wish it away.
Thank you, Jesus for alone time.
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