I Dream of Singleness

I am always thinking A LOT lately about my future. Also, when I'm on summer break and the rest of my family is not, I spend a lot of time just me, the dog, and the TV. There is a ton of romance, weddings, and happy married couples on TV and it really gets me thinking about married life. So much so that I become frantic, prepared to marry the first man I meet because who knows if God is going to give me another chance! Besides...people in arranged marriages can grow to love each other, why couldn't I grow to love a stranger too?

However, recently I was thinking more about this and began to panic again. What if I never find the right guy? What if I never have children and grandchildren? What if I die alone? What if I spend the rest of my life lonely?

I think the problem is that our culture trains us for married life. The television tells us that we can't be happy single or without a man in our lives. Well tonight I decided to stop living life like I'm going to be married someday. Instead I should to start to live life like I'm going to be single forever...and happy. We need to wake up! God doesn't only bless married people (just take a look at the divorce rate!), He can equally bless me as a single woman too!

How often have you started a sentence saying, "When I get married..." or, "When I have kids...?" Are you prepared for any other outcome? Are you prepared if God doesn't bless you with a handsome husband and four adorable children? I'm going to stop looking for a man and start making myself the best woman I can be through Christ. I will grow as a person and I will live a fulfilling life regardless of my marital status. I'm challenging myself so that whenever I see a cute boy and wonder what the possibilities could be with him, I'll stop and think instead of things I can do instead of dating him. Things like plant a beautiful garden, spend quality time with my girlfriends, participate in missions work, or get involved in activities at the church.

I've already started thinking of the possibilities. Without a husband, I could devote myself to my students (when I'm actually a teacher), and I could be there for them more, as a helper and mentor. I could buy my own house and use the extra rooms as library and music rooms, like I have always wanted. I could have friends over or go out whenever I want, and there would be no one to worry about waking up when I come in at 2 am. Singleness allows us more time to serve God and work for His kingdom, which I think Paul covers adequately in 1 Corinthians. If I felt called and prepared to do it, I could even adopt a child...there are so many orphan children out there that need a good Christian home. Most importantly, think about all the time I would have to converse with my true Love and Prince. I would have so much to praise Him for! Just because a person lives their life single does NOT mean they have less of a life. In some ways, I think they have more!

I think one of the many blessings of preparing for a life of singleness is that you won't be disappointed if all your dreams of true love come crashing down. Instead, you've spent your time growing and following the Lord and really preparing yourself to live a full life as a complete person by yourself. Now if God decides to bless you with your fairytale love and a family, it will be like an added bonus. You would have God front and center along with a solid relationship with Him, a fully developed character, self-sufficiency, and a life built around making you the best you can be. What can be a better gift for your possible future husband? But if that guy never comes along, you already have everything you need in God.




"Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11