Despite the nagging feeling otherwise, we’re not alone

Ronald J. Dubois Sr.
May 19, 2008
Edna Besson
May 21, 2008
Ronald J. Dubois Sr.
May 19, 2008
Edna Besson
May 21, 2008

The words of an old spiritual go like this: “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, a long way from home, a long way from home.”


Can you identify with those words? We all have a deep hunger within us to have someone who understands us, who is an intimate part of our lives and who will never leave us. We need comfort from someone we can trust.

The problem is that people keep abandoning us. Jesus promised each of us in John 14, “I will not leave you orphaned.


Before He physically left this earth, Jesus told his followers, “If I do not go away, the advocate cannot come.” I am sure the disciples’ hearts went into their throats! They had finally found someone who gave hope and fullness to every part of their lives, and now He was going to leave them.


Jesus promised to send them an “advocate.” The word advocate has its origins in the legal community – one who speaks for, who represents and who looks out for the interests and well being of clients.

“When I leave,” Jesus said, “I will send someone who will listen to you, teach you, guide you, and look out for your well-being. I will send you a paraclete, a helper, a counselor – the spirit of truth.


Our Lord said that He would guide us into all truth. To be guided, we must be willing to give authority to the One who is guiding. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments and my Father will love you and we will come and make our home with you.”

We must invite the Holy Spirit to live within us. We must love Jesus and keep His commandments. What commandment is Jesus talking about here? Jesus commands that we be baptized into His death and resurrection, that we love each other as He has loved us and that we eat and drink the supper of His body and blood. With Jesus’ spirit dwelling within us, we can face any situation in life.

A 95-year-old saintly lady went through the loss of two husbands, was robbed, her house burned down and she lost her three children. Yet she could say, “Through it all, I have never been abandoned, I have never been alone, I have never been without His peace.” This is her morning prayer that you might want to make your own.

“Good morning Jesus! I am alive today because it is your will, and you have given me breath and life for another day. I thank you for that gift in my physical body and whatever degree of strength and health with which you have blessed me.

“Yet, more importantly, I thank you this morning because you have given me yourself as your spirit who dwells within me every moment of every day. You guide me, you teach me, you comfort me, you provide for me and you strengthen me for whatever I may face today.

“If I succeed in some small way in what I attempt today, you are there in the midst of my success and I give you glory. If I fail in what I attempt today, you are there in the midst of my failure, and I lean on you for strength and a wise and understanding heart.

“What is most important, there will be no time today that I am alone, even if no one else knows what I am going through, for you have promised never to leave me, and you have given me your Sspirit as your guarantee of things to come. I love you, Lord. Thank you for your Spirit. Amen.”