Alone

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Yesterday I took my 4-year-old daughter out skiing for the first time. As we practiced on the green run, I went a little ways down the hill ahead of her so I could catch her as she came down. But as soon as I went ahead she called out, “Daddy don’t leave me.” She was afraid and felt alone. 

I have felt that way in my life too. My dad died at age 55 from drug use. My step dad died by suicide at age 57. My mom died from liver disease from alcoholism at 59. My grandparents are gone. When I look at my family tree, I have no one left to look up to. Just like my little girl on the ski hill, I feel alone as I lead my family into the future. It is scary. 

But God has promised, “I will never leave you, I will never forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8). I cling to that promise when I feel alone and it comforts me. As a disciple of Jesus, I know the same Spirit that created the whole world lives inside me. The Holy Spirit, whose power rose Jesus from the dead, is with me everyday, wherever I go. I know that I am not alone. God is with me and He will never leave me. Now I teach my children that truth, because as much as I want to, I can’t always be there with them. When they are afraid, and when you are afraid, and when you are alone, remember God’s promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you… I will be with you always.”