Ep 256 Lonely in Church? The Parking Lot Blues with Sue Donaldson

One Sunday after church, I stood by my car before getting in and looked around me. Young parents busy getting their tired kids buckled in didn’t give me a second thought; their minds on home and lunch and naps, all in short order. As cars and vans drove away, hands waved and I heard voices ring out, “So long!” and “Have a great rest of your day!

Single in my 20’s, in a new career, a new town and a new church, I felt okay, mostly. Life was full and purposeful, but lonely on occasion. I wondered why families didn’t ask me over for Sunday dinner.

The Bible says God sets the lonely in families. (Psalm 68:6) I was lonely. I needed to be set somewhere.

I got tired of waiting. Listen to what I did and what you can do, too, if you are singng the Parking Lot Blues.

PS

Please feel free to send my your stories of feeling lonely in a crowd. I'd love to share it on the podcast or in the newsletter. It can remain anonymous.   Email me: sue@welcomeheart.com 

Some gems from the parking lot blues:

• Mom’s hospitality radar, in good working order on most days, placed itself on high alert each Sunday morning.
• I needed family so I gathered some folks. Sometimes you just have to make it happen and not wait for someone else to pick up the phone or send a text.
• Loneliness is the feeling that no one is thinking about you, much less cares about you and what you’re going through.
• We feel shame with loneliness and we know where shame comes from. Shame comes from the pit and God’s children are not pit people.
• When these ladies met with me it was like Jesus looking through the window of my Toyota Camry to say, “Hey Sue, I see you and I’m coming over and we’re going to make some changes where changes need making.”
• If you are feeling lonely at times, you are not alone. Make that call. I’ll give you my recipe for apple crisp. It’s a killer—for loneliness.

 

Mom and Aunt Joy at Sunday dinner (not lunch, not supper.)

 

Trishie’s Best-Ever Apple Crisp

 

In a 7 1/2 x 11 glass casserole, mix together the following:

(Trish says: “Mix in the baking pan and save washing a dish.” I wholeheartedly agree.)

5 large apples, peeled and sliced

1 t cinnamon

1/4 t nutmeg

1 t to 1 T lemon juice, depending on tartness of the apples

1 cup water

 

Topping

In a medium bowl combine:

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup flour

Cut in until crumbly:

1/2 cup firm butter (I use pastry cutter or box grater)

 

Spread topping over the apples. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Comfort food, simple and delicious.

A welcome home is a fragrant home.