As I sit here on this Memorial Day after an afternoon at the pool with my apple and nutella in hand, my diet vanilla coke from sonic happy hour next to me, and a body that feels slightly sunburned, I am realizing that summer has begun. Oh yes, summer has begun which means so has the season of weddings! I laid awake in bed last night after yet another weekend of wedding festivities. As I laid there, I began to ponder all the events that have occurred over the past few weeks. It has been a whirlwind of shower after shower, wedding after wedding, and in the midst of all of this graduations. I don't know how people graduate and get married at the same time, but yet it all comes through. As I sit and observe those around me it all seems so surreal. I feel as if every time I look up there is another finger being jeweled (usually with a diamond the size of something I could only dream of having), another gift to buy, another invitation posted to my refrigerator, and another bride to attend to. Ah yes, it is the season of weddings and new beginnings. But as I lay in bed thinking about all these things, feeling slightly sorry for myself, it occurred to me to look at the positive side of things. Even though some days it seems as if I am all alone and all I am left with is a naked finger, an empty bank account, a closet full of dresses that I will probably never wear again, and a nicely decorated fridge, there is so much more that I have to look forward to. So for those of you that are in the same shoes as me...single and ready to mingle but it seems as if there is no one to mingle with.....this is for you!
While all of your friends, younger sisters, or relatives may be getting hitched before you look at the bright side. I would first like to start with the law of reciprocity. The law of reciprocity simply states that what you do to others, they will do unto you. So if you are like myself and have served as a bridesmaid for numerous friends who are getting married (all of whom are deserving of course), your bridesmaids options will be limitless. And think that while you may not be that crazy about the dress you so graciously purchased to wear for "the big day," or the shower that costs an arm and a leg to throw, just remember it will be your turn one day and all of your bridesmaids can wear whatever you say and your presents will be pouring in by the dozens!
Secondly, while all of your friends stress out about colors, flowers arrangements, food for the receptions, wedding sites, etc. just think: while all of your friends are going through this you get to sit back, observe, and take it all in. You get to see what you like and what you don't like. You get to observe and learn from the mistakes and successes of all their weddings. This will only lead to a more perfect day for you.
On a slightly more serious note, and most importantly my favorite: if you are anything like me and have a relationship with Jesus Christ, your state of singleness gives you an advantage that a lot of your friends who are now pouring the majority of their time into a husband (and soon to be children) may not have the luxury of having. The advantage being that you get to invest as much time as you want loving on Christ and letting Christ love on you because mostly likely, as a single young adult, you have more free time on your hands. Go to Africa and serve. Work in London for a year. Write a book. Sail the ocean. Spend a day at the beach. Do it because you can. You have all the time in the world. And know that one day your knight and shining armor will come. In the meantime instead of moaning that you don't have a significant other in your life (which I often find myself doing), spend the time that you have preparing your heart and life becoming the person that Christ called you to be. This will only make you more prepared for that special someone one day. You will be blessed because of it (and so will he)!
So, now that I have shared my heart, let me just end by saying that this is not a marriage bashing post nor is it to knock anyone who is getting married or is newly engaged. To each of you: Congrats! I am so happy for you. All of the people that I know who are getting married are very deserving and people that I am honored to celebrate and share in their wedding festivities. It truly is a privilege. So, this is not to knock those people or discourage those that are getting married. To everything there is a season and God has prepared some people for marriage earlier than others. What this post is set out to do is to encourage those like myself that look around and see everyone getting married, engaged, or even dating seriously. It can be a discouraging time in one's life, especially when you are not getting any younger. To those of you in the same shoes as me, I want to encourage you to keep the faith, love on the Lord, and know that to everything there is a season and your time is coming! View this time in your life as a blessing! I know I have to constantly remind myself to wait on God's timing and not try to rush things, but as you wait, be patient and trust in the Lord's timing because He has great plans for you, as well as an extremely special person picked out just for you!
In the meantime, while you are waiting (and since we are in the same shoes) don't just twiddle your thumbs watching the time pass by as you wait for God to land the man of your dreams in your lap...go buy yourself a new pair of shoes...because you can! Then, go out and walk confidently in the woman that God created you to be!
That is all for now...until next time be blessed!
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