A Comforting Poem for Those Who Are Lonely

As I shared in my devotional Incurable Faith, one of my childhood dreams was to become a poet. (Or a ballerina. Or an artist. Or a nurse, scratch that, a vet!)

Oh, the joys of innocent childhood dreams.

What I never planned was a future with disability, cancer that is considered incurable, and the isolation of being frequently hospitalized and homebound. Yet God used all of these struggles to bring my childhood dreams to fruition in a way that was far beyond anything I could have planned, asked, or imagined.

⬆️ An actual page from my childhood book, About Me. My handwriting has gone decidedly downhill since then! ⬆️

I’d never have envisioned the full-circle moment when Chris Fabry read my poem Homebound from Incurable Faith on his live radio show. Listeners who have experienced the isolation of chronic illness or caregiving could relate; some even contacted me to share their stories.

In this way, the God of all comfort used my expression of loneliness to reach others who feel alone.

Although Homebound expresses the longing for a visitor, Your Companion in Lonely Places encourages you to turn to the visitor who is already with you.

Your Companion in Lonely Places

When you long to see a loved one’s face,
And loneliness holds you in its embrace...

You might start to believe no one cares or sees—
May the Lord gently whisper the truth that frees,

"You are beloved in all of the earth;
Nothing can rob you of your true worth."

In empty rooms with lonely spaces,
The God of all comfort dwells in these places.

So when you find yourself lonely and harboring fear,
Cry out to the Lord, and He will draw near.

You aren’t alone because your worth has diminished;
Don’t give up now—His work is not finished.

Ask, seek, and knock—the Lord will provide
The strength that you need as he stands by your side.

Your Comforter and Companion is always there,
Eager to wrap you in His perfect care.

Beloved, you are cherished and held by His grace,
So close your eyes, take a breath, and sense His embrace.

I wrote this 💌 for you.

Sent with my love and prayers.

P.S. Please feel free to send this post to loved ones. If posting this poem on social media, please include the link and attribution. Thank you!💗

Cover photo by @uns-nstudio on Unsplash.