The One who Understands!

By Helen Jesze, 28^th July 2023

“…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. … Be strong and courageous…”

Joshua 1:5b + 6a NIV

I saw the old man leave his house, and pass thro’ the rusty gate, A shopping-bag in his feeble hand, they say he’s eighty-eight! And he looked so old and careworn, I felt I had to say Is there anything I can do to help? And pass the time of day. I asked him in for a cup of tea and a cosy little chat. He warmed his feet there by the fire, stroking my old black cat. It’s six years now since Annie died, the children are all gone. The house seems very empty now, it’s hard to be alone. He fumbled for a handkerchief, the weak voice died away. I poured him a second cup of tea and then went on to say: Yes, loneliness is terrible but there’s One who understands, He waits to love you and fill your life, waiting with outstretched hands. Your Annie loved him, for she said she was going where Sorrow or pain never came, to our heavenly home up there. She was ready to go, and her heart was cleansed in the Saviour’s precious blood. What about you? If he called today, are you ready to meet your God? The clock ticked on, it was very quiet; Time ran into Eternity. At last he said: You know I’m not, I’m not ready, pray for me! Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord I will not turn away, But I’ll forgive and take him in, Jesus himself, did say. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice I will come in and fellowship, so make God now your choice! We prayed and the old man then looked up, a new light in his eye. Thank you, my dear, what a help you’ve been, I’ll see my Annie bye and bye. *************************

This poem depicts two main thoughts; one is the loneliness of the old man and the second one is the neighbour who took the time to show him love and pointed him to Jesus.

Loneliness is something which affects millions of people in the world today, not only those who have lost a marriage partner to death or divorce, but it can affect a person of any age. We especially saw this when going through the pandemic due to COVID 19 with its lockdowns and people having to isolate and shut themselves away; fear and loneliness caused many to have emotional problems and struggle with mental health issues.

Whether it is the wife who longs to have a child and gazes longingly at the young mothers with their babies, or the elderly person not able to get about very much who never sees a person from one week’s end to the next. The little girl who is being sexually abused in her own home and has no-one to tell, hiding herself away, ashamed and terrified that he will come again that night. The single man or woman longing for love and marriage, but it hasn’t happened yet – so many situations where people face loneliness.

In this poem the old man was not a Christian, and was struggling with his loneliness. Yet we know that many of us who have come to faith in Jesus, are still sometimes faced with the challenge of letting loneliness swamp us, or of doing what these Bible verses tell us – “Be strong and very courageous…”. Our precious Saviour does understand. His arms are outstretched to each one of us; he wants to hold us close to his heart, bringing comfort and healing our brokenness.

As this lady looked from her window and saw the old man coming out of his house, she had an open heart for his need, and invited him into her home, offering the simple comforts of a cup of tea – perhaps a biscuit or two, a bright warm fire and a soft, purring cat to stroke. His heart was touched and he began to tell of his loneliness. The lady did not ‘Bibel-bash’ him but just lovingly, gently pointed him to her Saviour, reminding him that his ‘Annie’ had already known Jesus. He asked that she would pray for him, and he opened his heart to the Saviour’s knocking. After the prayer fresh hope came and a smile to the careworn face, at the thought that he would soon see his Annie in that heavenly home. Neither knew that already that night he would be called away!

Neighbours, work-colleagues, strangers are all around us every day, around me too. It is so easy to be caught up in the cares and hurry of Life and not take time to see further than the surface, to notice that they are in need. We cannot be the answer to everyone’s prayer but there are perhaps some the Lord has brought across our path, just waiting for words of comfort or needing someone to pray, help them in some way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to have an open heart, an open ear for those in need. May we be listening for your divine ‘nudges’ to recognise how we can show your love to others, and give us wisdom how to go about this, we pray. In the Name of your Son, Jesus, Amen.