I have spent time reflecting for several weeks, being away for some time. After the passing of my mother recently and the estranged relationship, I have with my father. I discussed with a close friend how I felt, explaining how I felt like ‘an orphan’.
Interestingly after attending church, a sister shared that there was grief within her family, and a relative of hers expressed the same term as becoming an ‘orphan’.
Growing up without my father has been painful; seeing other father-daughter relationships of my friends and family members or those around me, the longing for my life to be different.
After coming to Christ years ago, this pain has been succumbed by the love my Heavenly Father has for me. The assurance that He ‘will not leave nor forsake me’ (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). Even though others may fail, God promises He is always with us.
Now that my mother is gone, the yearning for her presence is a different pain. I regret not sharing future memories and milestones with her by my side.
Losing a parent or both is difficult; growing up within care and not knowing who your parents are, I can appreciate, is equally challenging, which many experience.
Often, we can feel alone and that no one understands. There is an emptiness in our hearts that nothing can fill.
We know that the word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and from this, we receive hope.
Psalm 146:9
Declares: ‘The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow’.
This scripture explains that both the fatherless and widow will be upheld by God. God is a constant ‘booster’ in our lives that will support us no matter what we face and is our long-standing friend.
The story of Job is relatable to many individuals going through difficult trials and sufferings in their lives; however, Job did not lose faith and trust in God regardless of his circumstances.
Job’s determination and character to ‘push through’ is an attribute we all should live by and always stay encouraged despite our long sufferings.
Since losing my mother, I have realised that people are scarce. People willing to support and connect are few, if any. But this season, no matter what I have gone through, the Lord has provided, like in Job 29:12, ‘Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him’.
During this period, I have had many experiences where I have been alone and needed help, but God has aided me with helpers and delivered me in that situation.
Do not worry, as God is in control and goes before you. He will make a way where it seems to be no way.
Take courage. God will sustain and continue to provide you with the necessities of life.
Grief is a lonely time, but God has continually answered my prayers and kept His promises, blessing me with counsellors and good friends that have uplifted me.
I may be fatherless, but God will fight my corner.
‘He is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower’ (Psalm 18:2).
I thank God for all He has done in this challenging time and how He has brought me through.
God will and can do the same for you.
As my mother often shared, and recently before her passing, King David declared…
‘I have been young, and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread’ (Psalm 37:25).
Prayer
Father, in the Name of Jesus,
Thank you, that you are our Heavenly Father
Thank you, that you will never leave nor forsake us
We may feel alone, but Lord, we have you with us
We need not be disappointed or afraid.
Thank you that you are our rock and our shield
You are our protector and lifter up of our heads.
Thank you that you love us
I pray, Lord, that you will forgive us again.
Cover us with your wings
Cleanse us, from our heads to the soles of our feet
Comfort us, those that are grieving, those of us in pain
Those without parents or family members.
Those who have lost loved ones
We trust in you that you will provide, that you will heal.
Cover us with your blood.
Thank you that you love us.
Never shall we be forsaken.
We will never be alone.
Thank you for what you have and will bring us through.
We know you will continue to help us and strengthen us
Touch those of us that are in foster care, Lord
Or those of us that are adopted.
Those of us that feel neglected
Those of us that feel disappointed and abandoned
Please help us know that we have you beside and guiding us.
Thank you, Lord, that your promises still stand
Great is your faithfulness
Thank you for your protection and provision
Thank you for blessings us with friends, counsellors and family members.
Bless each one of them
Thank you that you are in control of our lives
We choose to trust and wait on you
We worship you
We give you thanks.
May we never feel lonely
Uplift our spirits and hearts this day.
Thank you for saving us and delivering us
Be with us now and forever
In Precious and Holy Name
Amen
By Jaeger.V
8.08.2023
2 responses to “The Orphan”
Thank you Jaeger and thank you Heavenly Father God, for Your strength, courage, wisdom and gifting You’ve blessed Jaeger in sharing such a powerful, relatable and heart felt message with scriptures that have also spoken into my circumstances.
Reading this with such a heavy heart, with a sense of hopelessness, a sense of loneliness and exhaustion.
You helped me not only to seek God’s word but stand on His word for my circumstances.
When reading Psalm 139, it reminds me that our God is an ever present God. His word is personalised for each one of us going through trials and tribulations.
. It’s not just that God knows everything – He knows me.
· It’s not just that God is everywhere – He is everywhere with me.
· It’s not just that God created everything – He created me.
It’s important that we put our name to the promises of God’s word.
As you mentioned Jaeger, Job was a prime example that he remained faithful and trust God in his circumstances. (And we know, he certainly went through more trials, losses and tribulations than I couldn’t imagine going through!) Yet, God never abandoned him, in fact God restored over and above in blessing Job. Praise God.
And that same God, can, and has and will continue to restore my soul too. So when we next ask Go,
“God? Are you there?” His reply is always,
“Yes, I’m right here.” (add your name)
When I say,
“God, I feel lonely.”
God’s reply is always,
“You might feel lonely, but you’re not alone.”
“God, you won’t leave me right?
“Sweetheart, I’ve already told you, and put it in writing in my Word just to assure you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
How often do we just need God’s assurance, as our Good Father, that He is there, and that we are not alone?
God is my strength and present God ALL the time. He’s not a ‘some timish’ God.
He is our HOPE and JOY for tomorrow, praise God.
I was physically adopted and I am happy to say, I am Spiritually adopted into the family of Jesus Christ. Loved for who I am. Praise God 🙏🏾
Amen 🙏🏽 Bless you dear sister and thank you so much for sharing. 🙌🏽 So glad it could encourage you and you can relate. Lots of love 💗💗