One Sunday after church, I stood by my car before getting in and looked around me. Young parents busy getting their tired kids buckled in didn’t give me a second thought; their minds on home and lunch and naps, all in short order. As cars and vans drove away, hands waved and I heard voices ring out, “So long!” and “Have a great rest of your day!

Single in my 20’s, in a new career, a new town and a new church, I felt okay, mostly. Life was full and purposeful, but lonely on occasion. I wondered why families didn’t ask me over for Sunday dinner.

The Bible says God sets the lonely in families. (Psalm 68:6) I was lonely. I needed to be set somewhere.

I got tired of waiting. Listen to what I did and what you can do, too, if you are singng the Parking Lot Blues.

PS

Please feel free to send my your stories of feeling lonely in a crowd. I'd love to share it on the podcast or in the newsletter. It can remain anonymous.   Email me: [email protected] 

Some gems from the parking lot blues:

Mom and Aunt Joy at Sunday dinner (not lunch, not supper.)

Trishie’s Best-Ever Apple Crisp

In a 7 1/2 x 11 glass casserole, mix together the following:

(Trish says: “Mix in the baking pan and save washing a dish.” I wholeheartedly agree.)

5 large apples, peeled and sliced

1 t cinnamon

1/4 t nutmeg

1 t to 1 T lemon juice, depending on tartness of the apples

1 cup water

Topping

In a medium bowl combine:

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup flour

Cut in until crumbly:

1/2 cup firm butter (I use pastry cutter or box grater)

Spread topping over the apples. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Comfort food, simple and delicious.

A welcome home is a fragrant home.