Wednesday... But I really need my alone time.

Over in Matthew 14, Jesus had just been told of his cousin, John being killed and he wanted to go to a place where he could be alone and strive to handle this bad news. He really cared for his cousin. We have had those times, haven't we? We heard some bad news and we just want to be alone. We say to those around around us, we really need this time.

Verse 13 said, "As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone." We understand that. We have been to that place. But it goes on, "But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns." And we understand that. Someone needs us. So how do we handle this?

We usually get really frustrated. We let them know that we needed this time alone. Didn't you hear me say that I needed to be alone? I do so much for you, why can't you do this for me.

Now we each one have a need for our quiet time, we need out time alone. I know that is true for moms of toddlers. But, but. "But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns."

And look at what Jesus did. Verses 14 says, "Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick." That's how Jesus handled it. He had his alone time on the boat and he was ready to do what he was on earth to do.

We may not need a long alone time.

Now I get up earlier than everyone else in my family for my alone time. I head out for a walk for my alone time. But I want to be there when someone might need me. Yes, we may need to have our alone time but there are also people who need us and that is why we are here. But I don't want to be bothered is not a good thing to say. In our time of need God never says, "don't bother me."

Now the important word here is the word compassion. The NIRV says, "He felt deep concern for them." The Amplified Bible says, "He... felt [profound] compassion for them."

Proverbs 10:12 (AMP) says, "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another's faults]." Even when we want to be alone we are still to love.

Even when Jesus wanted to be alone he still had profound compassion. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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