You Are Set Apart For A Reason
Last week, my Sunday post was about tests. The testing that the Lord might put us through to grow spiritually and personally. Some tests work on our character, attitude, compassion, and empathy. Other tests can work on things you might struggle with, and for me, it is strength. I’m not talking about the kind of strength needed to lift weights, but the kind of strength it takes when you are set apart.
Maybe some of my shy readers can understand what I’m talking about. I don’t like going anywhere by myself. I prefer to have a friend along to talk to, and it is even better if that friend is outgoing. They have no problem talking to everyone and asking all the questions I’m too shy to ask, and people gravitate to them like flies.
Being Set Apart Is Not Fun
For some reason, I don’t think the Lord wants that for me. I’ve had a couple of great friends in my life. The ones that you can call every day and talk to for hours on the phone. “Want to go grab lunch?” “How about going to get a mani-pedi?” “Feel like going shopping?” Yes, yes, and yes!!!
For reasons beyond my control, each friend has been taken from my life. Each time, I have grieved, and each time, I’ve been left with an empty spot in my life. Every time I saw an FB post of my friends going to lunch, shopping, or taking trips without me, the pain would once again be fresh.
I cried more tears than I can remember, and I asked the Lord over and over why this always happened. At that time, it never occurred to me that He could be trying to teach me a lesson. One that I’ve resisted with all my heart and one that has been in place for many years. It seems like the longer you resist, the longer the test will continue.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.
I know the Lord hears me, I know He loves me, and I don’t think this is a punishment. It is a life lesson that I am slowly coming to terms with. Do I like it…NO! But I’m finding out that I am stronger than I thought. I have learned to lean into the Lord for strength. He doesn’t forsake me, no matter the circumstances.
Over the years, I have also grown personally. I can now get my mani-pedi without a friend next to me. Shopping obviously isn’t an issue for me any longer, and I’ve even traveled on a plane all by myself. Even with all the gains I’ve made, I still felt like David, lonely and troubled.
The Gifts Of Being Set Apart
Recently, I read a devotional about being set apart. I had been looking at my alone time as a time-out. I felt like I was sitting in a corner, away from everyone else who was laughing and having a good time. Maybe laughing and having a good time was the issue; maybe I was being set apart from everyone for a reason.
Yesterday, I spent my time searching for the gifts I’ve received from being set apart. I know I’ve grown in ways I never would have if I had always leaned on a friend to navigate things for me. I’ve been able to put lots of time and effort into my business that I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. I am starting to appreciate time alone, especially on my back porch, listening to the birds chirp and the occasional deer that wander through the yard.
I feel like the Lord has set me apart, and I’m still learning all the reasons why. The best part…I’ve been set apart – not set aside!
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Dear Tania
I have really struggled with the same issue. Although I’m an extrovert, my close friends are all married or engaged. I’m divorced, 62 and want to remarry, but I won’t settle. I have been reading a great book by Lisa Terkeurst, called Uninvited, when you feel left out, less than, and lonely. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Mischelle💕
I love Lisa Terkeurst. I’ll need to read this book.
I love this! You put into words what so many of us ladies feel! Sometimes we need to be alone, set still & let the Lord mold us.
Oh Tania, this was such a surprising post from you! You are so successful and you reach out to so many people every day and you have a very close family and a loving husband and to me you are the picture of outgoing and successful and brave! I too have lost two very close friends in the past couple years and it was very very hard. I too question God and asked him why and felt like I’d done something wrong. I prayed about it for a long time but he told me to let go and I have. lately one of them has been reaching out to me very slightly and I realize that maybe she was more important to me all along than I was to her and that must be the lesson the Lord was teaching me. I so appreciate your sincere post and sharing yourself with us. God is good and he has always there for us.
I love your message. I too feel set apart from others. I divorced 20 years ago. That was a lesson in itself. I learned I am a lot stronger than I thought and I have continued to learn daily what it’s like to be alone. I’m lucky I have a wonderful daughter to hang with when I’m in need of some company. I also have two lovely friends that are there for me.
Good thought. Set apart for service. You are!
Thanks for sharing this!
Such an awesome and inspiring post today… Thank you Tania!
…many of your posts have helped me in my journey of life!
Thank you for your thoughtful post today. It really resonated with me as I have had those same feelings.
I forgot this in my first comment. It’s hard to believe you are not an extrovert. You are fun loving and have a sense of humor. I would think you had a lot of friends. I’ve always been an introvert but as I got older I am less shy and have made more friends through volunteering and my Sunday school class.
I try to be set apart by not living like the rest of the world and being counterculture. That’s what I have learned in Bible studies.
Who won the Amazon gift card? Now that’s worldly and not set apart. 😊(I didn’t see a name on the email. )
I was out so late last night that I forgot to pick a winner. It is in tomorrow’s email. It is Ann Bronson.
Thanks so much for sharing your very personal journey with us! I know it will be an encouragement to those experiencing the same difficulties. ❤️🙏
I absolutely love your Bible verse posts. They are always spot on. Thank you Tania
Hi Tania thanks for sharing your heart and thoughts. I’m sure many of us have had similar experiences. God gets us through many tough situations in our lives and we come out stronger !
Thank you Tania, I needed your message today. Your honesty and heartfelt devotions are so appreciated.
What a beautiful and resonating post. It’s so nice to hear you are developing new strengths. Your experiences testify to the thought that out of challenges arise triumphs.
Totally identified with this post. I have had wonderful friends come and go also and it’s so hard but I’ve learned to rely on myself because even when a new one comes into my life it doesn’t mean they will be there forever. Life can get lonely!
Clearly, many feel the same here. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and vulnerable post. I think there are many factors at play. Life has changed since the pandemic, many people stay home more & go out less. Moving apart & friendships of convenience. People filling their own void with someone or something else. Political views, Friendly neighbors move out, not so friendly folks move in. Success vs Jealousy. Really the list could be endless. I have noticed some issues here too. Changes cause us to adjust and they can be uncomfortable & painful. I’m also shy in many instances. My husband’s a little quiet but the BEST guy. We don’t drink (because of Rx’s) – that makes MANY people uncomfortable. I’ve noticed childish cliques as people age that are beyond comprehension. Know you are not alone. With God’s love & understanding we will all navigate our way through. Love your Sunday posts the most. Keep it up & God bless.
No Amazon card winner announced
It is the email for Monday.
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt issue and how God is holding you near Him and always working in our lives!
God bless you!
What a lovely reflection and one many of us can relate to. You are not weak because you sometimes miss being with others. It is how God made us. I love how you use this time to be closer to God and to be creative!
God Bless!
One spring when there was still snow on the ground a single little bird landed arrived and landed our juniper bush and proceeded to eat the berries on it. I asked my husband why it was here all alone , shouldn’t it be in a flock? It so happens that it was a Townsends Solitaire. The name says it all. Being alone is perfectly natural for that little bird. Ever since that day I have been more at peace with being a loner and don’t feel like I’m weird anymore. It is just the way I am!
That’s beautiful.
Oh my goodness, your beautiful and powerful words about being “set apart” touched my heart so deeply! I, too, often feel set apart, but God sure knows what He is doing as it is serving me well. It has allowed me to be a better wife, mother (and mother-in-law) and Nana to nine grands under the age of 7! My heart is happy! 🩷
As much as I love seeing all of your amazing fashion posts, I absolutely treasure your spiritual reflections! Thank you and God Bless you for sharing both!
Jan, I agree, when you’re set apart, it leave time for things most important.
Boy I sure needed this today!
Thank you for today’s post. I too, am an introvert. It took me many years to realize that God was protecting me during a specific season in my life. I am stronger now & can look back & thank Him for His protection during that time. He was & is my Rock.
Thank you for blessing us & sharing with us, Tania.
my goodness that sounds like me. thank you for your prospective. blessed be.
Dear Tania, I couldn’t help but giggle – just a little….what I really wanted to do is give you a big hug and say, “sometimes they don’t want to be friends with such a pretty girl”…that’s the momma bear coming out in me but just from what we are all able to see from your wonderful Sunday blogs, I haven’t a doubt that you are an amazing friend and I think many of us will be praying you find eachother sooner than later. What a dear you are. If you were closer to Indiana, I believe everyone in our small group would be raising their hands saying “choose me please”!
Glenda, that made me giggle just a little too. 🥰️
Hi Tania ,
I always enjoy your Sunday posts. Being set apart is something I can relate to and have been feeling recently. After my husband passed away in 2018 my daughter and her husband wanted me to live with them. So here I am after living most of my life in small towns living in a high rise, downtown Atlanta. I feel set aside . I have given up so many things moving here especially being with friends and other family members I am close to. But I also have many blessings I would not have if I lived alone.
The first gift that popped my mind was seeing my Grandchildren every day. I am sure that I will find many I have many other gifts as I continue to search. Thank you Tania and God bless you.
I’m glad you are enjoying living with you daughter’s family. It is a special man that let’s his MIL move in with him.
Thank you, Tania, for this perspective and for sharing your heart. May the Lord bless you with a close friend, and with His presence when you feel loneliness. 🩷
Beautiful post. At our age I find it difficult to make friends, not acquaintances, friends! But I always cherish the memories I have had with those I was blessed with. I dust the memories off once and a while to remind myself that everything has a season.
I have felt set apart for most of my life even with 4 great friends. I know how you feel. God shows me how strong He wants me to be. Keep trusting in him.
Tania, I’ve always believed that god puts people in and out of our lives for reasons only he knows . He has a plan of what he wants us to do while we are here on earth, we are here to serve and teach his love . It is sometimes crazy, sad, and the fear is overwhelming for us . I believe he is leading us to reflect on the lesson , to learn and move on to the next task ever stronger!
I also believe friends are one of the hardest tasks . They are either annuals or perennials .
Im 63 and disabled . I have been very lonely since I retired early . Many of my work friends and good friends have moved on without me and have not included me like before . Now i can say after all the hurt and loneliness, im okay with just me and realized my perennial friends are my family and husband , and god . Those are the blessings ! Big hugs
Erin, that is a great way to look at friends.
Thank you for this article! I don’t mind spending time alone, when I’m at work I feel like I’m excluded because of being a follower of Jesus Christ. Everybody’s out partying and looks like they are having fun. But I am reminded by the father we are peculiar people and set apart. So I will keep seeking and listening to what God has for me. Which is way better than what the world can offer.
I needed this so much today. Thank you. My two closest friends moved far away the same year my mother passed. Be grateful you have a spouse and large family. I am thankful for my two adult children but they have their own lives. My extended family is very small and not local. Making new friends at our age can be tough!
Allison, that’s how I feel too. My family is spread apart, and my children have their own lives. I try not to intrude upon that, but I love it when we all get together.
Thank you for your post today. It caused me to ponder and think about things differently. Keep up the good work.
thanks for the post today. truly God has a plan for each of us. blessings always
Tania, thanks for your heartfelt posting today. In reading all the responses, I see that it resonated with many, including myself. I also had a best friend who I did everything with in our school days. We don’t see each other that much but we are still friends, just not best friends – my husband of 42 years holds that role. Although a challenge when I was younger, I have become more independent through the years. I no longer seek others to accompany me the way I used to, nor seek approval from them; it’s not a winning game. I feel that I have become more self sufficient in my life which has helped me grow as a person and succeed in many work and academic pursuits which I may not have done if I always sought support from others.
It sounds like you are blessed with a close relationship with your family which is something special. I agree that it’s hard to make new friends as one grows older but find it’s easier to have acquaintances that one can talk to on occasion.
You should be proud of the work you are doing to bring some joy to others by sharing your love of fashion for our age group. It’s truly appreciated and always a joy to read. Many thanks, Tania.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I appreciate your perspective. I know that I’ve been allowed to touch many women, and for that I’m am so thankful.
Thank you for sharing this personal message with us. It’s making me take a close look at myself and see if there are changes I need to make and/or things that I need to accept.
Really great insight and thoughts Tania. We have to be leaders sometimes and be responsible for ourselves. I have found it troubling when friends leave my life, but as one of my lifelong friends said, “they don’t need you anymore”. Hurts but true. Thankfully I have a few really good friends and lots of “acquaintance-type friends”. I’m ok with that.
This really touched my heart. Thank you.
What a marvelous post! I am one of those shy and introverted women who struggle to make meaningful friendships. I have acquaintances with whom I play cards or bunco but only a couple of friends that I am really comfortable with and can have a real conversation. One just passed away a few months ago and one just moved back north to be nearer to family as she and her husband age. So that leaves me alone … again. I am encouraged to see so many on this blog that experience the same thing. It helps me to accept that I may be set apart, not rejected.
I am blessed that our tiny family — son, daugther-in-law, and beautiful granddaughter live just 10 minutes away and we have a loving relationship. After all the moving across the country that we and our son have done, this is truly a miracle and we are very grateful.
Thank you for opening your heart to us and encouraging us to draw closer to our Father and enjoy being set apart.
I alway really enjoy your posts but particularly the Sunday ones.
In this season as well . Last one of my 5 kids is leaving for college. Had a child or someone to care for , for the last 29 years! God has a plan for me in this next season and your post is so helpful in easing my anxiety. Thank you for sharing your heart!
All change is hard. We like routines we know, and changing them is scary.
Thank you for your post. I have moved to Houston from Southern California. All my friends are away from me. I have thought this many times reading Facebook and seeing my friends get together. I have been back to So Cal a few times and meet up with them. I pray that I may find a friend or friends in my new location but have been hesitant to wander out. I am able to go out and do things on my own. I enjoy museums, parks and walks alone. I picked up a new hobby of target shooting for women to find new friends. Your post makes me realize that God will provide in his time and that this time is for me and Him to become reacquainted.
Thank you for your post.
One of the fascinating realities I’ve faced as I’ve aged is that through all the twists, turns, and events that have made up my life, I can now see God’s presence all along, including on all those self-imposed and unwise detours I’ve taken. All those times I asked “Why?” I can now see the answers. When I made a decision that I know He wasn’t pleased with, instead of abandoning me, He walked with me and nudged me toward making the best of it. I shake my head now at how I made my path zigzagged instead of straight. At the end of that path is my Lord laughing and shaking his head lovingly, waiting for me to join Him in the next life. Thank you for sharing your life, Tania.
Wow today’s post really resonates with me. I needed to hear this!
Vicki from Oklahoma I’m in total agreement. It’s hard to make new friends as we age. It does seem that people don’t want to break their inner circle and I don’t understand why. I’ll continue to pray.
Thank you Tania for sharing your heart this spoke volumes to my heart and mind. You are a blessed lady. Keep on keeping on. I know you can withGod by tot side your side you Will preserve.
Loved your message. Being set apart is a gift because it enables you ine in one time with our Lord. Cherish Him!💓
Tania, this is such a beautiful post. I love your perspective…you are a very special person with a very special gift! Happy Sunday ❤️🙏🏻❤️
I understand what you mean. I don’t have any really friends here in Arizona like I did in California. God has been teaching me through this time as well. Thank you for sharing. It is very encouraging! To God be the glory. Have a blessed day!
Over the years, my very best friends have moved away…some to the other side of the world! I’ve kept in touch with several but it’s just not the same. I try not to envy people around me who have friends they’ve been close to since high school (we’re in our 60s). I have also learned to do things by myself…flying, pedis, shopping. And I value all the “my” time I have.
Many thanks for the idea of being set apart rather than set aside. Blessings!
My sister has a group of high school friends who have reconnected. They meet regularly, even though they live in different areas. They’ve even started going on short girl trips, and have recently started to include their husbands. I might be just a little bit envious.
thank you for this
My goodness Tania, you are NEVER alone and you make sure we are not alone, through your posts you have found and helped so many. I have followed you for years now since I saw you wearing a coat that I had just purchased on your blog. Then I realized everything you had on that site was the style I love. Whenever I go anywhere, I look on your blog to help with a new outfit, the colors, the style, how cute you look in them, you ARE shopping with me! I look so forward to spending the morning with you and COFFEE in my hand, I look at the latest! The Lord does work in mysterious ways and your blog is your saving grace and ours at times. Your family will make sure you are never without physical touch and comfort, you are very blessed and thank you for sharing those blessings.
Gloria, I am very grateful for the blog and all you gurls. You have filled a void in my life. One of helping others like I did for many years with the Womans Club, and one for friendships, even if they are only online.
Amen! A wonderful testimony.
As a fellow introvert, your post resonated with me – thank you for your bravery in writing it. I’m sure it wasn’t easy. I had two loving, loyal best friends, but then we moved 450 miles away and wow, making friends in my late 50s was no easy task. I see women shopping and having lunch together while I’m a lone wolf and my heart hurts. I keep wondering ‘is it me?’ but still waters run deep with those of us who are shy, and it’s easy to get overlooked. I wish Nebraska was closer to your neck of the woods – we could have lunch!
Tess, you described me to a T. My sister is the opposite. She’s extroverted and can make friends with a fence post.
Great Message today! Being set aside you can give us these wonderful messsges & for us to have a great blog to read!!
I’m shy but I enjoy my alone time. You can experience and discover things differently than when you’re with others. However, I must say I have a different type of lesson to be learned. I sometimes am criticized by others for not joining “the crowd”. Then I find myself going along even though I’m not truly comfortable. My lesson is to be a bit more assertive and politely decline and have no ill feelings towards myself for doing so.
lovely post Tania. Thank you
Very well said. God bless you.
I love your Sunday posts best of all .
I have been experiencing this too ~ I don’t feel alone. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Tania. What a wonderful message. When I was in high school I had a friend that I thought was a very good friend. Then one day she was no longer my friend. I had the hardest time understanding why! I think most of us have been through a friendship breakup!
I have incorporated your daily Bible versus into my daily Bible studies. Thanks for sharing your heart.
I’m sure everyone has lost at least one good friend. Going through the loss is painful for everyone.
I connect with you on so many levels…except the one where you prefer to have people around you. Over the years, I have realized how much I enjoy doing things by myself. I have several good friends but we never go shopping together and rarely talk on the phone. You would find me sitting in the corner of a coffee shop with a latte and a good book and being perfectly happy.
Sometimes God allows us times we don’t understand to draw us closer to Him. As a grandmother of 5, and as they have all grown older, I find myself alone more often than when they were younger and always wanting to come to Nana’s.
That was a beautiful post . I needed that today. God bless you.
Oh wow Tania this is me to a T.
My best friend who is now raising her grandson was that friend to me.
We used to go on Vacation every yr, have shopping days or just hangout days, now we don’t. We talk on the phone occasionally or see each for short visits but that is pretty much it.
So know you are not alone in being alone.
Amen!!!! I spend a lot of time alone. I find it is for prayer and really having a conversation with God. It’s something I look forward too. It’s all part of Gods plan and his glory. ✝️🙏🏻
Your post is so spot on for me today. Since the loss of my husband and going through Covid, I’ve become quite the recluse. But after reading your post, maybe this is exactly what I needed. Time to reflect and become aware and move in a better direction. Thanks again.
Rhoda, the loss of a spouse is my worst nightmare.
Rhoda….it is just now the first anniversary of my husband’s tragic death and i have been reclusive too. Partly because i am healing, work on my mental health every day and also because i have to get used to being alone. It is an adjustment whether a spouse or someone else like a friend like Tanya has lost. God is with us though!
I Love This!
As a 70 something woman, I can identify with the lonely aspect of life. My friends are few but when we all get together, it’s like a reunion!
As a teenager growing in Christ, I would retreat to my backyard in the evening to read scripture and talk with the Lord.
As a working adult, I found myself reliant on friends for fellowship, much as you.
At retirement my husband and I asked God for a country house, a little land and a porch. When we moved to Tennessee, after 43 years away from ‘home’, He gave us just what we’d prayed for.
Now we spend mornings and evenings on the porch, talking with each other and Him!
We are blessed indeed!
Thank you. I needed this today. I have also had friendships go by the wayside without really knowing why that I miss dearly. I understood it must be God’s will, but thank you for this different perspective on it. Happy Sunday!
I do like your new format where the blog post appears first!
Kim
I confess I have envied you for your family ties, the closeness you have with so many. You seem so blessed with all of them. Little would I have dreamed you felt like you were set apart. You are so right that God never leaves us or forsakes us, and He is always with us. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Cheryll, we all share what we want the world to see. Heartache is nothing fun for anyone, so we keep things like that to ourselves. This blog, and all you wonderful ladies have filled a void for me, and I am very thankful to the Lord for that.
LOVE your reminder of being “set apart, not set aside.” Nothing is wasting when our LORD is involved. Thanks for your reminder today.
Thank you Tania, I needed to hear this wonderful message this morning! Have a blessed Sunday!
Tania, you hit the nail on the head. I enjoy the quiet time alone, yet at times, long for friendships. As you get older, making friends is hard. Everyone has their circle of friends and family, so I am learning to enjoy bird watching. Thanks for the Sunday posts.
Thank you for your Sunday posts! I appreciate how you study and speak about what God has laid on your heart. I’m grateful to work from home, but it can be lonely and easier for me to not make the effort. God places people on my heart to reach out to. I need to do my part and follow through. I needed this today. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for a different perspective on being set apart. Discovering that I can function on my own has been important.
Lovely message. I feel I know exactly what you are saying about the Facebook experience. I made the decision to get off about 2 months ago. What a relief!
I did that 2 years ago and have never, ever, regretted it!
I stopped Facebook years ago. It changed me for the better! More time to devote to prayer, & my family. Instantly my life felt more “drama free!”
Tania, I think God sometimes removes those people from our lives because he sees things we don’t. Your Sunday messages are always thought provoking & inspiring!
Love yourself!
A blessing. Thank you for sharing. I have even prayed for friends.
Amen!!!! I spend a lot of time alone. I find it is for prayer and really having a conversation with him. It’s something I look forward too. It’s all part of is plan and his glory. ✝️🙏🏻
wow thank you. I have felt like that for years. I have no one to call and the friend I thought I had never has time. at least when I want you do something. it’s always on her time. seems when I quit trying no one is around. I’ve often thought maybe its me… I’m not any fun to be around.
This really resonates with me this morning. I felt better and more like myself after reading it. Thanks. Tania!
I’m glad the post was helpful.
Thank you! I have a similar situation and this puts such a different light on things. God bless you and thank you for writing it.
It isn’t fun going through things like this. I’m thankful that I’m better, but I’m still a work in progress.
This really spoke to me. Thank you!
YOU GET IT! > The best part…I’ve been set apart – not set aside!
Tania, very well written. Like you said, some of us are set apart, not aside. Have a Blessed Sunday ✝️
Great post, Tania! I can completely relate to the emotions and the struggles you describe. I have struggled on and off my entire life with loneliness and feeling dependent on friends to fill the loneliness. Over the years the Lord has taught me that only He can fill that empty void, and if I let Him fill it I am then free to enjoy my friendships without the fear and disappointment I used to struggle with so much.
I had a hard time holding back tears reading this post. However, it was very thought provoking and caused me to review my life and the different circumstances I have found myself in the middle of. Trusting God and knowing we can trust him and lean not on yourself can be a hard lesson. for a strong willed child like me, but His presence is comforting, nurturing and rewarding a not a time to be “Oh poor me”. He uses us as He as set us apart for. Thank you Lord!
I had trouble with the tears while writing it. Writing about it brought back the memories of being left behind, and though they aren’t as strong and raw, they are still there.
Oh my goodness gracious. I felt like you were writing my story. I lost one of my very best friends to cancer, my mother to dementia and my other best friend decided to ghost me all in the same 6 months. I was devastated! I felt like God was punishing me. It took me a long time to step back and realize that I was not being punished but being asked by God to take notice of my relationship with my husband and my children. I didn’t realize that I could have my spouse as a best friend and my children are adults and out on their own. We could be friends now. I’m still working through things some days but it’s easier most days.
I will be praying for you Tania 🙏🏻 Loss is hard.
Hope you have a blessed day!
I too have turned to my family. Joe and I are closer than ever, and I talk to my sister and mother almost daily.
GM
Thank you for sharing your heart. I totally understand! Over the years the Lord has put people in my life that I will call my play friends the friends who are always up for something to do. They arrive for a season a purpose and then they move out of State. I have a couple of friends that are not the fun friends but I enjoy them. I’m 68 and still work part time with children because it fills my bucket. My husband is great but he doesn’t really want to do anything other than his routine. Family lives far away. Im very connected with social activities but still feel lonely. I’m a work in progress.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart……..Prov 3:5-…..Love your blog and posts. Thank you for being so candid and clear.
Bless your heart! Such an outpouring from your heart. I know without a doubt you have helped many with your words pointing to Jesus.
I hope that is one of the reasons that I feel set apart from others.
What a blessing to wake up and see this today. Thank you, Tania. I needed this-
❤️
Laura
Wonderful Sunday posts. I often feel the same as you did. Your last comment is so uplifting. Thanks for sharing a truth.
Thank YOU for this post. I can resonate with people being in your life for a season. I too shop alone at times and have accepted that feeling of being alone. I am returning to a work field I left years ago. I’ve struggled with the not belonging, etc. Reading this post really spoke to me.
It is harder as you get older to make new friends, especially if you are shy like me. Everyone has their core of friends, and most people do not invite new people to the group.
This really hit home for me this morning as I have never really thought of my life as being gift set apart from others. Thank you for this morning. I truly appreciate it.
I’m glad it has been helpful.
This post seems perfectly written for me. I have felt everything you just expressed. Sometimes I believe certain people have been removed from my life so I would depend on God more and talk to him, not people I have leaned on.
This struck a chord! I, too, have leaned on friends. They were also removed from my life and I mourned that loss too. But I’ve grown in ways I never would have if they had remained in my life. This is such a good reminder to reflect on the lessons God is wanting me to learn (like put Him first!). Thank you, Tania, for being vulnerable enough to share.
Loneliness of one of my biggest fears since I’m an introvert. I think the Lord is teaching me that I can be alone and not lonely.
Thank you for sharing … I feel that way – lonely, different … yes! set apart! Hugs from PA ~ Bonnie
Ditto to all of that! After living 40+ years in one city and raising our family there, my husband took a different job and we moved to a new town. It’s been 5 years, and I feel exactly the way you do. Making friends has been very difficult, especially when you throw in the many difficult months of Covid where we were ALL isolated! The upside is I have learned to be okay by myself, my husband and I have grown much closer and my faith journey has definitely deepen! Thank you for your words this morning. I never thought of myself as being “set apart” but I will try to remember that when I do have those times of loneliness.
Yes yes and yes. Now alone time is easiest.