Parable of the lonely man

 

 "Am I a failure?" "Where did it go wrong?" "What am I supposed to do now?"

These thoughts are dangerous to men who have lost their livelihood.

This scenario has been happening for decades as companies restructure their organizations.

Men in their 40's and 50's are told by companies, both large and small, that they

are no longer needed and the company is 'going in a different direction.' Let's face it...sometimes that's 

code for "we need someone younger." 

To be told in life, that you are no longer of value can be devastating. To some, their value is all they

have.

I'm not talking about performance based issues. Poor performance has no age barrier.

To start over on a new career could be a blessing in disguise, but that conversation needs to happen

much later when there's time to look back and reflect. Now is not the time to go down that road.

I'm talking about companies that cut back on payroll. That burden seems to fall on men

of a certain age and experience level.

Remember, we use to be the young one, coming on board, replacing people that seemed to have

worn out their welcome...and now the shoe is on the other foot. We have an understanding that 

we didn't have before.

So, what does the man sitting alone on a bench at night do? Is he a failure? How is he going to tell

his family? How will his kids react that their dad no longer has a job? How will his partner react

to not having income to pay the bills? 

If he doesn't have a family to go home to, or someone that can lend an ear,then where does he turn 

for solace and comfort?

It use to be that society judged a man's worth by what he did for a living. I believe that mindset

is still out there in the marketplace.

This is a slippery slope because negative energy will start to occupy a man's soul and fill the

void where his workplace use to be. There's no telling what negativity will tell us to do when

we're alone in our thoughts.To him, he is all alone.

So, what do we do? He needs help from anybody who will give it. He needs help from friends

that will reach out, show up, and  help out in any way possible. He won't admit it but he is afraid.

We've all been there and it's not a good place to be. He needs us.

How can we make a difference in the lonely man's life? I have a suggestion.

Tonight, take a few minutes to pray for the lonely man. He is struggling and needs our help.

I've heard people say that prayer alone is not enough.

Sometimes, that's all we can do, and sometimes that's all that is needed.

Don't dismiss the graceful power of ongoing and intentional prayer.