Ideally, I had thought to meet the right young man when I turned sixteen, and then get married around eighteen or twenty.
It didn't happen that way, and for a while I was momentarily crushed. What happened to my dream of being a wife and mother?
I am twenty-three years old, going on to twenty-four and have still not met the one (not to my knowledge anyway).
So what happened? What did I do wrong? There is a simple answer to these questions and many others like it. "Be patient, God will withhold no good gift from you and He is still in control". Looking back, I wonder how I could have ever thought about being ready for a marriage relationship at eighteen years of age. Especially since my relationship with God was not quite what it should have been.
Just because my finger is still bare doesn't mean my life is. God still remembers me! Instead of raising a family, I am wholly dedicated to the service of my Lord and His Bride. Now, I am not saying that the ladies who are married aren't dedicated, it is just that they don't always have time or energy to serve others when they are serving their family.
I have found myself rejoicing in singleness, and there are so many blessing that come with it. Nights without interrupted sleep, plenty of time for hobbies, my own routine, richer friendships, late nights and late mornings, quite time, and countless other things.
I have done things now that I most likely would not have done if I had been married. For one, I would probably not be an avid blogger (since this requires the luxury of at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted solitude), I would probably not be a Sunday School Teacher, a mentor, or Youth Director for programs and choir, I would not be an authoress, or a very developed artist.
My Lord and I have spent some special times together. I can listen to 3 hour long tapes without interruption, read the whole book of Isaiah in a day if I want, and illustrate more of Brother Branham's life stories.
My relationship with God isn't the only one that has prospered. I have developed better relationships with my parents, siblings, and friends as well. I have been able to be there for the rough patches of teenage life for my youngest sibling, and have reveled in the joy of helping her succeed in home-school. There is plenty of time for friends too, whether it is going to get ice cream, or getting together to watch a Jane Austen.
Right about now, some of you might be like, "Wait, is all she going to talk about is how great it is to be single? She should try my life, she'd realize how horrible it really is!"
But really, it is what YOU make it out to be. If you are not content with your state of singleness, what makes you think you will be content in marriage?
The Bible says:
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
So now, some of you might be thinking, "Wow, this girl is really getting prepared for a life of singleness, she must not want to get married."
On the contrary, I am preparing myself for the life my God has planned for me. If marriage is part of it, and He tarries, no doubt you will be reading blog articles about how great marriage life is! I want to get married, it is my desire to be a wife and mother; but I am content in my state of singleness.
No, I don't have it all together. I am not the heroine who flies through life untouched by struggle. There are days when I wonder, "Lord, where is he? How long until I meet him?"
My mother, grandmother, and probably great-grandmother on either side of my family were all married before they reached 22.
And of course, by this age most of my childhood friends have all married and some are on the third -fourth baby. Your group of available friends become fewer and fewer as they get busy with family life.
Now, as a single lady you get plenty of questions asked from your peers and elders, especially at church meetings: "Do you have anyone special in your life?", "Are there any young men you are interested in?", "Have you prayed to God and asked Him to bring you a husband?"
Quite honestly, I have not reached the stage where I have felt the need to fast, pray, or beg God for a husband. For the young ladies that do fast and pray, I most certainly commend them. I admire their seriousness, their faith, and their hope.
I am in the mindset, that when the time is right: God will bring the right one. Now maybe the time occurs regardless of fasting and praying, and maybe that time comes because of it. As the Lord leads!
Marriage is a blessing. And if I do enter marriage, I will praise the Lord. Until then, I will praise the Lord while I am single!
Peace and blessings. As always thank you for reading and feel free to comment. I am considering writing a part 2 to this article if any of ya'll are interest. God bless you!
(Edited by my brother) ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment