Nobody Cares?

Nobody Loves Me!  Nobody Cares?

Years ago, we took our sons to Walt Disney World in Florida.  My husband had wandered off somewhere, ostensibly looking for a restroom which must have been located somewhere in Tomorrow Land or Sea World, and the boys were clamoring to ride the Cup and Saucer.  Though I have a little problem with motion sickness, they begged and pleaded with me to ride with them.  Being the sacrificial mom that I am – sometimes -, I agreed, only to sorely regret it when they began to spin the cup faster and faster.  I am sure that I turned green, ready to embarrass not only the boys but myself, as well.  I could not get out of the cup alone; both boys had to help me to a bench, where I promptly lay down and prepared to die, or so I thought.  Thousands of people were passing by, smiling, wondering if I were inebriated, talking about the grown woman lying on a bench in the middle of the park.  Yet, not one single person stopped to ask if they could help, if I had a serious medical problem, or if they could call someone for me.  I was convinced I was going to die, alone, surrounded by people.  Obviously, I recovered, my husband, eventually, returned, and I have never gotten on a cup and saucer, again.  However, sometimes, in the midst of personal pain, I still have the nagging thought that no one loves me enough to see my distress, and that no one cares.

If you ever feel isolated or disconnected, as I did on that hot summer day, be encouraged.  We are in good company.  King David himself, He struggled with helplessness, abandonment, and loneliness.  David was already anointed of God to take Saul’s place as king.  Saul, in a jealous rage, was trying to kill David, who had fled and was hiding in a cave.  Though David himself had done nothing to antagonize Saul, he found himself alone, seemingly abandoned, in the damp darkness of a cave.  In Psalm 142:4, he writes what I believe to be one of the saddest statements in God’s Word:  …no man cares for my soul.  You can hear the anguish and the pain in this warrior’s heart as he looks for someone who cares about what is happening to him.  The utter desolation of solitude, abandonment, and betrayal breaks David’s heart as he cries out that no one loves him, no one cares what happens to him, not just for the moment, but for eternity.

At some point in life, I suspect that nearly everyone has felt or will feel abandoned by someone who professed to love them, have their back, be there forever.  The dismay and disappointment of abandonment can, indeed, convince you that the thousands of people surrounding you offer no hope.  However, in the midst of David’s pain, he shows us where to turn when it feels as if no one cares.  Psalm 142:5 teaches us that David’s solution was found in the One who will never leave us nor forsake us:  I cried unto you, O Lord.  You are my refuge and all I need as long as I live.  Hear my cry.  I am as low as I can get.  I can’t go on by myself.  Let me live to praise you.  Surround me with others who love you.

What a beautiful encouragement!  Whether on the bench or in the cave, when no one else is there to hear, God hears.  When no one else is there to care, God cares.  When no one else is there to wipe our tears, God reaches into our hearts and turns our tears into triumph.  You are surrounded by the presence of your God, even when you can’t see Him through your pain.  Never alone!  What joy!

© 2010 Gerry Sisk

(08/04/10)