You’re Not Alone: ” You Have People!”

My mother offered us reassurance when we left home to embark on the journey of adulthood, quoting a succinct phrase, “Remember, you have people.” In her southern accent, she emphasized that regardless of the challenges we faced or the uncertainty of the future, we had a support system comprising family and loved ones who genuinely cared about us. The phrase ‘You have people’ also resonated with me in situations or around individuals who did not treat me with kindness or reciprocate my respect, as it reminded me that those individuals were not my people, and I had the permission to leave and surround myself with those who would lovingly accept me with the energy I provided back to them. Life will test us in making us feel like we’re alone, but I want to encourage you that no matter how isolated you feel within your experience that you are not alone.

But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16 : 32-33

Baby, I’m Right Here

My twins seem to easily navigate socially wherever they go immediately in making friends in any environment, but my eldest two children like to feel environments out a bit. It takes them both time to warm up to their surroundings. My son in his younger years would give me a look back of hesitation when we were in a new setting, I could see a brief moment of separation anxiety as to see if it was okay in proceeding foward. My eldest daughter shared that at first she felt alone in getting acquainted within the children’s ministry at our new church, yet her twin sisters were close in proximity in a separate classroom. It didn’t matter to the two of them that I was near by, a phone call away, and that they had other caring people near by their side. Their minds within those dire moments felt alone, afraid, and they felt unsure about the outcome ahead. I would often say, “Baby, I’m here.” to let them know that my presence was felt.

You Are Not Alone

One of Satan’s greatest tricks is to make us feel like we are alone. He attempts to make us feel isolated through fear, shame, and guilt. We can allow ourselves to withdraw from others in feeling inadequate in magnifying our flaws and faults. There are also occasions where people act ungodly to us in making us feel ostracized as if we are alone in not fitting in with the status quo. I felt alone for awhile in different seasons of my life in feeling like I had no one who could really relate to my struggles, and there were times my mind played tricks on me to think no one really cared. I also didn’t want to repel others away in sharing the transparency of what I was going through beyond the surface in balancing life and motherhood. I had the heartbreaking experience of being slowly distanced by some friends who said they cared at first when I opened up in lowering my wall. They later pulled away when they saw the fullness of what I balanced behind the scenes as a Mommy blogger within my personal life. I saw that in the last two years I grew a social protective mechanism in being a bit withdrawn, yet I remained cautiously friendly on the outside. I fought the feeling of thinking I was alone in the world in what I was going through. I have slowly gained back through faith, healing, and finding empowerment in sharing my story that I’m not alone in life no matter what I’m going through.

God Is There With You

The Holy Spirit is real in being an ever present source of hope within our lives. God’s unconditionally love is real for his children. Our Lord Savior Jesus Christ found us worthy of love when he gave his life on the cross to die for our sins. We serve a living God who walks by our side, who hears our pleas, knows our secrets, and who lovingly cares. I needed to know that I wasn’t alone, forgotten, and that I was protected. God provided that comfort in understanding through studying his word, constant prayer, and through building connections in rewarding relationships with fellow believers. Remember you are not alone. You have people, and that someone cares for you.