With over 8 billion people in this world how is it even possible to feel alone?  More than just feeling alone, it's about the sadness and despair we feel when we feel that no one is for us or cares about us.  Loneliness when we are surrounded by others is a very real phenomenon and I’m not here to tell you it gets easier with time or that you shouldn't worry because it’ll be alright.  I’m here to tell you that it's normal and to give you a few ways that have worked for me over the last 20 years to hopefully minimize the pain you may feel.

As a first-time Mom, the holidays have taken on new meaning for me. Everything is my son's first-time experience, and I want these moments with him to be very special even though the only memories he will have are from my perspective and the photos I share with him as he gets older. There is something very precious about the moments we share with those closest to us that pales compared to anything else.

As God's image bearers, our desire for a life of purpose has been ingrained into the very depths of our being by our Creator. We can all relate to that deep longing in our hearts to discover and understand our God-given purpose. We all want to feel necessary, have a sense of belonging and personal significance, and experience the satisfaction of an accomplished life.

Lately, I have been living off "Help me" prayers. My energy has been low as the daily demands of life are numerous and exhausting, leaving me overwhelmed and drained. Yet, even when the days are long, and our souls are yearning for rest, the Lord knows our hearts and will respond to us, even when all we can muster is "Help me, Lord."

“All is well.” Three simple words, but they have changed my life. My journey with those words began when I felt like my life was ending: my longtime marriage fell apart, my three young adult sons strayed from their faith, and I moved out of state—away from everything familiar—to begin a new and intimidating job. Did all feel “well and good” in my life? Not even close. I imagine you’ve known a season like that in your own life. You may be there now.

As Christians, God’s grace is the main theme of our relationship with the Lord. We know that God’s grace is the reason we are able to know the Lord and eventually spend eternity with Him. However, God’s grace doesn’t just hold one purpose; it extends far beyond salvation into every aspect of our lives. It is available to us daily and can be a source of spiritual comfort in many ways. Let’s explore five comforting characteristics about God’s grace!