Church Worker Wellness – Week 36 devotion: Relational wellness

“Building Up the Body: Worker-to-Worker” is a series of church worker wellness devotions. Visit lcms.org/wellness for more resources.

By Elizabeth Decker, Lutheran teacher and pastor’s wife

You are not alone

Sitting in a rocking chair and staring out of our large picture window in Wyoming years ago, I can remember a terrible sense of loneliness overwhelming me.

I was a pastor’s wife with three very small children. I was hundreds of miles away from any family, and the church we were serving was a campus church, which also meant that we were some of its oldest members (we were in our 30s).

With no older members to glean from and no family nearby to help, I spent many of my baby’s naptimes sitting in the rocking chair feeling very much alone.

Back then there was no social media for a quick check-in with friends and no cell phone plan that would allow me to call my mom without long-distance charges.

I was thankful I had made friends with other moms, but going out for coffee or friend-time wasn’t as common a thing back then.

As I look back now, I can see God’s plan in the lonely times of my life. Through my lonely times, God was with me.

I spent good, quality time with my children, and through those precious years we became much closer as a family — a gift from God.

I also became more aware of my need for personal devotions and Bible study. I was able to lead Bible study for the young college girls and be a part of their lives on campus, also a unique gift from God.

Though the people I yearned for could not be there, I was able to find comfort in Scripture I may not have found without the trial of loneliness.

I found new ways to share His great love with those we served. If you are feeling lonely at this time, take comfort in knowing that the God who sent His Son into the world to save us from our sins will not let you down.

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Lonely times offer a moment to reflect on what He has done for us. He often uses the “down times” in our lives to prepare us for a greater adventure, whatever that may look like.

Reading through Psalm 62 reminds us of His unfailing love and presence:

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” (Ps. 62:1–2, 5–8 NIV)

Dear Lord, when I am feeling all alone, help me to put my trust in you as my Savior and friend. Help me to remember that You are my Rock and my salvation and to be able to share this with others. By the power and promise of Your cross I pray, in Jesus. Amen.

“Building Up the Body: Worker-to-Worker” devotions and prayers will be released Monday mornings on the LCMS Facebook and Twitter pages. Church Worker Wellness devotions will also be archived online.

LCMS church workers and their families are invited to offer encouragement to other workers and families by submitting a 500-word devotion for the Synod’s worker-to-worker wellness devotion series. Email questions and submissions to workerwellness@lcms.org.