Remedy for Loneliness

MARY BETHELL experienced times of loneliness during the Civil War. In her diary on February 5, 1861, she revealed that her only comfort came from God’s Word:

My daughter Mary Virginia Williamson and her little daughter, near three months old, left me this morning for her new home in Arkansas, three days travel from here on the railroad. Mr. Williamson, her husband, is out there now, has been there near 3 months, getting the place ready for my daughter. I feel deserted, it was a trial to give up my child, I do not know that I shall ever see her again . . . I feel stript of one of my pleasures, but I have the comforts of religion. There are many sweet and precious promises in the Bible, to me, they come to me now like ministering angels to comfort me in my distress. The Lord is good to me, he comforts my soul in time of trouble, I look to him, and he hears my prayers, he opens up the way to a happy home in Heaven, where there is no more parting, no more sad farewells. Glory! and honor! to his name.

One of life’s difficulties is saying good-bye to those we love. Mary Bethell was close to her children. The prospect of being separated from her daughter brought her great sadness, yet she found peace in reading God’s Word. When we have nowhere else to turn in our loneliness, we can find that the Word of God is “sweeter than the honey” and “more precious than gold.”

Try reading the psalms daily for comfort and healing.