Lonely Hours

Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil, and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you. Psalm 121:5-8 (TLB)

In my troubles I pled with God to help me and he did! Psalm 120:1 (TLB)

Mary Hunt Webb, from New Mexico, had always wanted to travel and see other places. She got her wish when she married a meteorologist whose career took them away from their families to the San Francisco Bay area of California. They didn't know anyone except the people her husband worked with, and none of them lived nearby.

With the cost of housing so high, they had very little money, and Mary had to find thrifty ways to keep their son entertained. Mary took him to the park where he climbed on playground equipment, and they fed ducks in the pond. They rode their bicycles to church, the library, and the grocery store. They had fun, but Mary struggled with their limited resources and with loneliness. Although they joined a church, the members had known each other for such a long time that it was difficult to fit in as newcomers.

During the lonely hours, Mary called out to God in prayer, and she became so close to the Lord that she heard God speak to her spirit. Some people have doubted her when she says that the Lord speaks to her. Mary doesn't hear audible words, but she hears God in her heart. As her relationship with God has deepened, Mary has come to understand that when we reach out to God in difficult times, we may receive a blessing we never imagined.

Prayer: Thank you, dear Lord, for being with us when we feel alone and for answering out prayers in ways that we could not have imagined. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.