“It is not good that man should be alone.”
Genesis
I do not think this is controversial. Essential to a happy and satisfied life is living in the presence of those we love. Consistently.
Perhaps this is most obvious in younger children. They simply want to be together with a small number of people—most of all their family. Yes, they can get used to absence. And so can we all. But it will wear on us, taking its toll.
Here is a remarkable, real conversation that happened between my wife and my daughter Josefina when she was four years old:
Josie: “Does Jesus have magical powers so he could go up to heaven?”
Mama: “Jesus was able to ascend to heaven because he is God, and God can do anything.”
Josie: “You mean, he can even touch a star?”
Mama: “Yes, he can do anything.”
Josie: “He can even come here and be with us?”
Mama: “Yes. As a matter of fact Jesus said wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there.”
Josie: “That means Jesus is here with us now. Does that mean if Jesus were going to work and I asked him to stay and help me do the puzzle, he would just turn around and stay and help me?”
Tears are in my eyes as I relate this. I think what most strikes me is that I never would have guessed that she would say this, that she was experiencing what she was experiencing. As a child gets older, he or she usually doesn’t express such things.
Let me be clear here. I don’t mean this as an exercise in self-flagellation. But the simple truth is that what struck this child as perhaps most magical of all is that Daddy wouldn’t leave her.
I am well aware that certain separations in life simply will have to be, and we have to be able to deal with them. But that said I am convinced that we would all do well to turn a reflective eye to the patterns of our life and examine them in view of the fundamental importance of presence. Herein, I think, we will discover a root source of stress, for ourselves and for others.
Are we making presence a priority? Do we recognize the structures in our life that militate against it, or make it especially hard to achieve? Patterns of work and school, as well as recreation (such as sports) very often make it more difficult simply to live in the presence of those we love most—often more difficult than it really should or needs to be.
Consider the living patterns of single people, who so often live alone, and of older people, who so often live alone. Consider our communal living patterns, and how as a matter of course we do not expect our lives to intersect with these others in significant or consistent ways. We can consider likewise how we use technologies of communication and entertainment and the chilling effects these often have on personal presence. For how many of us of all ages do such practices actually mask a deep longing that is not being fulfilled.
Surely some of these things we cannot directly change. But certain of them are within our power to change. And perhaps most important of all, it seems to me that at least this is always in our power: to put first things first in our heart, especially as regards presence with our loved ones. And then too to convey to those around us where our heart is, even when physical presence is not possible. For where our treasure is, there our heart truly is present. People will feel this. And this in itself will be magical.
Stress and Its Causes Mini-Series
II: Stress: The Lack of Presence in Our Lives
IV: Stress: News as a Backdrop for Life
V: The Stress of Relating to Our Spouse, or Anyone Else of the Other Sex
Image: Bernard Bloomers (1845-1914), detail from Au Revoir, wherein a boy waves goodbye to his father, a fisherman.
Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.
Even God the Father must be hidden to us at times, in order that we have the opportunity to practice being responsible.
A very nice point.
Thank you. Everything has a divine end, including conflict and stress. If we pay attention to these situations and the “deep longing that is not being fulfilled” we will learn the ways God is hidden from us.
If we take no action, God remains hidden. (We may be busy trying to cope and balance competing stressors, and God still may be hidden.)
When we know we are moving towards God, God is no longer hidden to us!
In your particular example, I agree that this movement towards God can be simple, as simple as conveying an expression of regret when physical presence is not possible. Thank you for the reminder to do something I don’t do often enough.
Forrest, I appreciate your applying the point to our relationship with God. It is encouraging, in our relationship with God as in our relationships with others, how much does remain in our power [again things such as, a word of regret, a word of love, presence through intention, etc] even in non-ideal situations. Thank you.
Beautiful reflection. Our growing family feels called to spend a great deal of time together, and your perspective validates our choice. It is encouraging to me when i feel that our broader community often questions how we spend our time and if we have more to give to their groups or organizations. Perhaps there will be a season of our life for that, but for now, we are each our best selves when we are together!
Megan, Thank you very much for this thought. I very much see what you are saying. I would simply add one thought if I may. I really encourage you to guard and cultivate that precious time together as a family, as you are doing. And I think you are absolutely right that there are seasons in a family life, and perhaps later you will be in a position to make more significant contributions to the broader community. I would only add this cautionary note: we need, even while guarding the family time, to be careful not to life as though we are simply our own distinct community without obligation to the broader community. At times a family can become in this way too ‘turned in’ on itself. I’m sure you are aware of this, but it just strikes me how this is always a balance we must seek to maintain. That said, putting ‘family first,’ when done well in a generous and unselfish way, actually is a central way that we do serve the broader community. Thanks again.
Yes. As in all things, there is a ditch on both sides of the road. Finding that balance is key. We are a family of 10 – 8 kids, each born 2 years apart. In the early years, we did keep our schedules more simple, but it is difficult to keep from being too inwardly focused.
Colleen, Great image: the road with two ditches. One thing that we can keep reminding ourselves is that at least when we are aware of both ditches, we can constantly strive to drive straight, even if we don’t always succeed! Thanks.
Well stated my brother. I also think that we get hung up on doing “things” with our children instead of just being with them. Thanks for the reminder to practice presence.
Thank you Rick!
thank you for reading 🙂
Perhaps thoughtfulness can help cure another’s loneliness. Perhaps that round of golf could be better spent.