Dear God, I'm lonely. I yearn for what I do not see. I'm lonely     where "alone" has no meaning— in the depths of my heart where only I dwell and there has never been another but always a need for You. You cannot fill my need by sending people— when I speak from this place their places cannot hear— though I may hold a hand, spirits have no hands to hold nor mouths to speak,     ears to hear nor tongues for words     or kissing. I heard a song once, "You are my best friend," and I knew You should be. You had been. You weren't. Was it I who shut You out? I do not sense You left. Did the touch of hands,     the sound of voices siren-song my heart, drown You out? I let them. Did the pressing waves     of passing days drive the current     that pulled me away? I let them. And now I find myself alone. I cry out and You rescue—     my Savior. I ask and You give—     my Provider. But when I weep inside When do I feel Your comfort And why am I empty     of Your Joy? I am empty of You. My heart is a landscape of lies Leading and misleading all but the wise, and I, a lost fool, get lost. I don't even know how to call You home to the place in my heart You yearn for. So I ask for Your grace: pull me out of that race and sit me where I belong. Let me feel Your arms strong     hear Your sigh sweet     know Your love deep. "You're my best friend" like there was no tomorrow but the one I am living —Death before Life— Heaven before the grave.