Can y’all believe Christmas is just a few days away?! Like, seriously, where did December go? In the midst of all the craziness, I realized the other day I still had no idea what to buy my husband this year. (GASP!) I usually spend weeks browsing Pinterest and thinking of fun, creative gifts, but this year, I’ve been so busy that shopping has honestly been the last thing on my mind.
Over twenty years ago, psychologist Arthur Aron successfully made two complete strangers fall in love in an afternoon. How? He had them ask each other the questions below and then stare into each other's eyes for four minutes.
Yep, we're serious.
One night when I was driving home from spending time with some married friends, I questioned why singleness can often time feel like a synonym for loneliness. Have you ever felt that way too? As I was questioning this, I turned on some spiritual music to fill the void of loneliness that was creeping in ever so quickly. I came to a song called “Lean Back” by Capital City Music. One of the lyrics in the song goes, “Now I can see Your love is better than all the others that I’ve seen. I am breathing deep all your goodness, your loving-kindness to me.”
One year ago, my husband and I would routinely sit in our living room with hot morning coffees and begin the day reading the word of God, spending time together in prayer.
We would then go on with our morning and. if we felt the Spirit leading us, we would pray some more throughout our time together. If it was my husband’s day off, we would go on to read or study more of the scriptures, watch a preacher on YouTube,and talk or pray about what we had learned.
Tawny & Luke, a young couple of early twenty-somethings who were "crazy enough to get married in college," are now navigating recent grad life – living fun-sized in a mini-home. Tawny earned her degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and Luke in Intercultural Studies, so you could say they have a *slight* passion for travel and experiencing other cultures.
...and as long as God's in control, that's perfectly fine.
Singleness is not something we need to overcome. It is a season that lasts longer for some than others. It is a season that may not end for some, as well.
For the woman that just cringed at the last statement, this is not to scare you. I promise!
We see plenty of posts on social media celebrating how blessed someone is because they are 'in a relationship,' engaged, or happily married, but when was the last time you saw a post celebrating the blessing of singleness? You may ask, “Is that even a thing?”
As a single woman, I’ve got to say I feel blessed and thankful for this time of young adulthood and being single. I’m extremely happy where God has me right now; and beyond just being content, I’m living a life that is filled with passion, purpose, and doing what I love.
I see you there, wondering what the purpose for this season is and desperately wanting a direction, any direction to move in. And I know that seasons of waiting can often feel disheartening, confusing and question filled…
We could probably never make a complete list of all the things we find ourselves waiting on during our lifetimes, wondering when (or if!) God will bring them along… a spouse, children, dream job, supportive friends, more time, better health, more money – the list could go on forever.
Half of America is single. People are frustrated in love, but does anyone really know how to connect in today’s virtual world?