Have you ever felt alone, even in a crowd? That is probably one of the most painful times to feel alone, when people all around us are busily involved with each other. Perhaps it might be a good idea to look around us for those who feel alone, and reach out to them. I believe that one of the greatest desires of human beings is to feel important, at any age or any level of achievement. This was highlighted in the case of a young mother of a 4-year-old child who took for granted that she knew what all his wants and desires might be, and that she should make all decisions for him.

Then one day they were seated in a restaurant and the waitress came over and, looking at BOTH of them, asked, "And what can I get for you folks today?" The little boy was astounded that she gave her attention to both of them, and when his mother answered that that they would have hamburgers he said simultaneously, "I'll have a hot dog." His mother was very surprised at his reaction, but she nodded her approval. The waitress then turned directly to the boy and asked, "And what would you like on your hot dog, young man?" Well, this was a heavenly moment for this young man. He was talking directly to an adult who wanted to know what HIS desires were. He didn't want this moment to end, so he prolonged it by describing in detail all the different ways he wanted his hot dog prepared. Finally, as the waitress walked away, she heard the little boy say to his mother, "Mommy, she thinks I'm real!" Sometimes people of all ages and circumstances are made to feel "unreal" because of the way they are treated by others. And as to the feeling of being alone, share with me the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage: His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him, and leaves him alone.

The ritual requires that he sit on a stump the whole night, and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He can't cry for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is then a man. He can't tell his friends about this experience because each one must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. He imagines that wild beasts must be all around him. Mayne even some human might do him harm.

The wind blows around him but he sits still, never removing the blindfold. Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appears and he removes his blindfold. It is then that he discovers that his father is seated next to him. He has been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. We, too, are never alone. To quote from the 23rd Psalm, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow mw all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever!" There are some around us who are hurting today. It doesn't take a lot of effort on our part to make them feel better. A kind word or a smile may be all it takes. Let's HELP SOMEBODY TODAY

Now to close with this: The rather elderly lady felt that her body had gotten out of shape, so she got her doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising.. She decides to take an aerobics class for Seniors. She said she bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for about an hour, but by the time she got her leotard on, the class was over!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!