Daily Devotion:

Title: Unpopular

Date: April 18, 2013

A research study from the University of Alberta at Edmonton that examined more than 200 elementary schools in Canada shows that there is a link between athletic skills and popularity.  Duh?!? 

It’s brilliant to have data that backs up what every kid already knows.  The captains of the kickball teams are always popular kids and the last kid picked just isn’t.  That last kid and others like him or her often quietly suffer sadness, isolation and social rejection, or so the study shows and we already know. In short, athletic skill is highly honored in elementary school. The un-athletic are lonely.  Loneliness can be debilitating and loneliness is an equal opportunity exploiter. Loneliness does not respect creed, nationality, race, or economic bracket.  Humans need companionship.  We often crave companionship.  Why is that?  Why are we created to need each other?  Maybe it’s deeper than physiology or biology.  Maybe our longing to be free of loneliness is spiritually elemental.

An old rabbi speculated, “What reason did God have to create humankind?  God was lonely.  So God created Adam.  Adam was lonely. So God created Eve.  Maybe Eve was lonely and so she sought out companionship with the serpent.  Maybe loneliness is innate to human experience and is only resolved when we are loved beyond our wildest imaginations.”

Let’s Pray: Dear God, You say You love us, but we seldom feel it.  We are lonely for Your love.  Grant us a taste of the love You hold for us. Let us feel embraced and whole and liked and loved and accepted. Amen.

Today’s Thought Is: Love is an antidote to loneliness.

Source:
WebMD http://children.webmd.com/news/20071023/lonely-kids-on-the-sports-sideline
Rabbi Harry Sky