Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 (NIV)

I've often felt alone in my life. As I grew up with my Mom, a hard working, single mother, I felt alone while she was gone working. When I was studying and all my friends were enjoying their teenage years, I felt alone in my goals. When I got pregnant in high school, I felt alone in my struggle as I gave up an opportunity for college. Even when I was married to a man who didn't love me, I felt alone. As a single parent, I felt alone. When my third pregnancy had me home alone while my boyfriend went out to party, lonliness crept in to my life again. I can continue to point out moments in my life where I felt so alone it hurt. But instead, I wanted to share the hardest journey I've had since - determination in my relationships to reach out.
After accepting and embracing the identity of being alone, it has truly been difficult to try hard and cut past the shield of lonliness to create and solidify real, healthy relationships. My marriage, my children, my friends...I've been so good about keeping them at bay. The biggest was Jesus. But when I finally surrendered my hurt and pain of lonliness, He asked me to do something even harder, reach out. With my Lord, it was about learning to love because I am loved. In my marriage, I've had to open up and let go of the barriers that I thought protected to me to experience a true bond I never thought possible. With my children, who went back and forth from my house to their fathers, it was about teaching them to build bridges that take time because they were worth it.  With my friends, it was about showing them the good, the bad and the ugly so that they could help me through it and one day I could be there for them.
This verse has come up over and over in marriage and friendship devotions but today I read this verse and was reminded of the lonely person who reaches out. The Lord knew we needed one another to prosper (a good return for their labor), for help (can help the other up), for compassion (but how can one keep warm alone?). When we trust in Jesus to instruct our way of life, we can struggle past the hardest moments of our life - with someone. And our good God, He puts amazing people in our path to help us through, display compassion when we have none, and show us the prosperity that doesn't depreciate.
I'm so blessed to have found the Lord and learned the joy and strength in reaching out. I pray that you all are blessed with the same. The good plans He has will get you through anything and the greatest gift will not be the end but the journey.

Heavenly Father, You have always been present in my life, through the lonliness, rejection, storms ands trials. There were many times I didn't see You there or hear the help You sent, forgive me. But today, when I fight against the pride and the pain of lonliness, remind me gently with a voice from a loved one, a prayer from a friend. More importantly, help me cry out to You and those You have placed in my life. Because I seek to experience the prosperity, joy, love and healing that comes from knowing You and those You put in my life. In Jesus Christ I pray, amen.