{"id":1016,"date":"2014-02-04T01:09:24","date_gmt":"2014-02-04T01:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1016"},"modified":"2014-01-26T01:25:13","modified_gmt":"2014-01-26T01:25:13","slug":"someone-is-waiting-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2014\/02\/someone-is-waiting-for-you.html","title":{"rendered":"Someone is waiting for you"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Image<\/a>
Image courtesy of Ian Kahn\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

February’s focus on Valentine’s Day can be difficult for many people who are isolated because of illness and pain. For some, even if they are surrounded by family and friends, they can feel lonely because of their physical limitations, depression, or other constraints. And for those who are more physically isolated, or who haven’t had the opportunity or understanding of how to build a strong support system, being alone can be utterly devastating.<\/p>\n

It need not be so.<\/p>\n

When I am most unable to reach out or have contact with people, one of the things that is very comforting is the knowledge that at any given time, there are people praying for me, people I do not know, people who are on the other side of the world. This unity of prayer is amazingly strong, but it is something we often take for granted, and those of us who do struggle sometimes with illness keeping us on the sidelines often do not even think of it as a balm, a comfort, a way.<\/p>\n

Look upon it this way, there is always someone waiting for you to make the connection, even in silent prayer, to the great community that is people of faith. Anywhere, anytime. In any language or form. And as those prayers are lifted, yours included, even more unity is generated and we are less isolated each day.<\/p>\n

Another thing I try to remember is that, when someone doesn’t reach out to me, they might be waiting for me to reach out to them. Relationships are two-way. It’s not always all about us! \u00a0Even a small word, a card sent, a short call can take the sting off of loneliness.<\/p>\n

Finally, God is always waiting for us to pray to Him and to sit in His presence. He’s one of those friends who doesn’t even need us to talk to Him. He loves us and simply likes it when we call on Him. \u00a0Yes, He’s waiting for us, too.<\/p>\n

When you take a good look at your situation, you will find at least one person, probably more, who are in some way waiting for you to reach out. \u00a0If you can’t think of someone specific right away, turn to prayer. Lift it up to join those prayers of all our brothers and sisters in countries far and wide. There’s plenty of good room and a world of friends just waiting.<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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