One of the biggest problems people have is loneliness. That’s one reason why many go to bar rooms and lounges. Many are seeking relationships. One thing about socializing in a drinking establishment is that after a few drinks, people share their innermost feelings.

I remember these songs from years ago titled, “Have You Ever Been Lonely” and “Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes.” Yes, I’ve been lonely, and I’ve often needed somebody. In fact, everybody needs someone with whom they can be transparent. The problem is most of us, like myself, have looked for meaningful relationships in all the wrong places.

My searching for peace and happiness left me empty and spiritually bankrupt. At that point of my life, I realized that unhappiness is not knowing what you want and killing yourself to get it.

On my 40th birthday, I remember lying on the sofa for three days, wanting to die. Jeanne ministered to me like only a godly wife could, and that was the only thing that gave me a little hope. I was lonely, depressed and not excited about life.

It was at that time I went on a retreat at the St. Joseph Abbey

in Covington. I shared with the retreat master that I was tired of

living. He asked if I was afraid to die. “Not at all. I’d welcome death,”

I answered. “Then you have a

serious problem. You’re afraid

to live,” he said. He told me if I

ever realized how much God loved me, I then might start loving myself and would look forward to the

plan God had for the rest of my life. That was on a Saturday over 35 years ago.

As we ended our talk, he asked, “Harold, tomorrow the Saints have a game. If the star player gets hurt, what happens?” Before I could answer, he said, “They put in a substitute. If the substitute gets hurt, they put in another substitute. That’s the way it happens in a football game, But, Harold, in life, God doesn’t have a substitute for you. If you don’t execute His plan for your life, one day you’ll have to answer to Him.”

Today, I don’t know of anyone who enjoys life more than me. It’s nothing I did, but what God did in my life. I give Him all the glory. I no longer am lonely and have people in my life with whom I can be transparent.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.