This past school year was tough for me being an empty nester for the first time.  My girls do a great job of checking on me.  They do a great job of making sure we still do things together.  My youngest calls me every day and comes home from college as much as her schedule allows.  My oldest invites me to dinner or asks me to come hang out at her apartment from time to time.  But it’s just not the same as having them with me under the same roof every single day.

I remember my stepmom asking me what I was going to do with myself when my girls grew up.  They were just 3 and 4 at the time so I blew it off.  I felt like that was so far off in the distant future that there was no need to worry about it.  I also thought there would be people around me that would help fill that void. 

Then that far off distant future came in a blink of an eye.

And those people I thought would be here aren’t anymore.  Besides the losses I’ve had, most of my friendships aren’t what they used to be. I have been wrestling with this season I am in.  I started a blog post about Embracing Your Season but haven’t finished it because for the biggest part of this last year I’ve still been trying to embrace mine.

What I do know is that God has my back!  I know when people fail you God never will!  Friendships will come and go but God is always the same! I draw comfort knowing that He is always there. 

This summer I’ve had more peace than I’ve had in a while.  I can truly say that I have realized what this time is meant to be for me.  (Maybe I’ll be able to finish that post now) I may still have restless nights but I don’t have anger.  I don’t have resentment. I don’t feel as alone because I am never truly alone.

I am reminded of God’s faithfulness through Paul as he writes in 2 Timothy 4:16-18, 

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.  And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.  The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.  To Him be glory forever and ever.  Amen.  

Here Paul has been imprisoned for his preaching again. He has had one hearing and is awaiting the next one that will surely lead to his death.  There are many in Rome who could’ve come to support him but didn’t.  He is not resentful of those that did not stand with him because he recognizes that he was never alone.  He knows the Lord was with him and will always be with him. 

Our assurance needs to be anchored in the One who will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) Paul had that same assurance and because of it, he was able to forgive those that did not stand with him. He even said, “May it not be held against them.”

Just two weeks ago in When God Gives You More Than You Can Handle,  I said I am not strong.  I just serve a God who is because when the Lord is with you, His strength is with you.  It is HIS strength that others see in me.  Having the Lord stand by our side makes all the difference.  He gives you the strength to endure hardships and He gives you the confidence to pursue a higher calling.  This is exactly the kind of strength Paul is talking about. 

Paul knew God had his back. He also knew to die was gain. (Philippians 1:21) He was confident of his salvation and his eternal destiny. His life had been given in service to the Lord and He continued to praise Him until the end!

Maybe today you feel forgotten.  Maybe you feel abandoned by loved ones.  Maybe you’ve recently had people who have walked out of your life and you are mourning the loss of those friendships and relationships.  Maybe like me, you’ve just been in an unfamiliar season and don’t know how to embrace it.

Right now you need to remember that God has got your back! He will get you through those tough days and most importantly He will never forget you! You are whole in Him. It is not your children, your spouse, or your best friend that makes you whole.  No one can do that but the Lord!

He wants to spend time with you so take the time to be in His presence and His Word.  He will guide you, protect you, comfort you, and stand with you! He will give you strength! He will love you and make you whole!

To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!