Hi Wonderful people

My sister-in-law Julie is not to good … she is back in hospitial in Brisbane with a 2 inch cut in her liver as a result of the attack. Obviously she needs prayer for healing and protection for unborn baby but my mother-in-law is almost beside herself in worry and is looking after Julies other children. Sharon and I have offered to help but Sharon’s mum is very independent. Ask that God would give her the energy to do what she needs to, comforts her and keeps her well. She has BP issues.

Thanks again for all your prayers they means so much.

You know William, I am so glad you aired on here, its what we would hope this forum could provide for anyone. Im so glad you did just that.

Would always appreciate prayer for dealing with loneliness.

And especially physical contact, or lack thereof. My desire for it gets pretty extreme at times, and my emotional state tends to spiral downwards fairly fast as a result.

It’s all very well knowing that God is always with me, but he doesn’t give terribly good hugs and kisses.

that doesn’t sound good Orfeo……..do you feel that you have a good network of friends.

No, not really. Not at a deep level, at least. I’m working on it but I’ve tended to struggle in recent years to be as sociable as I would like/need.

And I think I learnt NOT to be a touchy/feely person for a variety of reasons… including not disclosing who I’d most like to touch/feel. 😉 One of my gay friends gives me extra-long hugs and little brushes of body contact when I see him, because he’s figured out 1. it makes me uncomfortable, which is amusing, and 2. that I actually rather like it.

I understand what you mean, Orfeo, and I can empathise with you regarding the ‘I know God’s there but that doesn’t always help’ thing. I’m not as desperate for human contact, I think, but on an emotional level I find I’m increasingly lonely, and that even though I love God and I seek His presence more than anything, my relationship with Him isn’t quite the same as my virtually non-existent relationships with other humans.

One verse that has always helped me, though is Matthew 20:20. It’s the last verse in the the book of Matthew, and Jesus says this to His disciples (presumably) just before He ascends into Heaven: “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I don’t know why exactly, but that verse has always comforted me – particularly in the last couple of days as I’ve been trying to confront and overcome my nervousness over coming out. Perhaps it’s the the confident yet paradoxial assurance Jesus gives His friends that even though He’s now ascending to the world beyond this one, He will always be with them, no matter what – even until the world ends.

In fact, every time I remember the verse I actually picture Jesus with me – sitting next to me at school, standing in my room, walking with me down the street. It’s kinda corney, I know, but I find it helps me to realise that what He said He really meant, “…I will be with you always…”.

Anyway, I went on a bit of a tangent there – I hope you find someone special soon, and that until then you won’t be too lonely.

God bless,

– William