« The Deceitfulness of Biographies | Main | Losing Our Lives »
Every Good Gift
The month of October is quickly ticking by and I'm still single. Do
thoughts like that ever run through your head as they do mine? My brother is getting married. Two of my sisters are in serious relationships and have fun thinking through bridesmaids and groomsmen and receptions and registries. I'm not. And so another month continues in which I am learning yet again to trust the Lord. According to Paul, singleness is a better gift than marriage. Because of this, I expend energy trying not to be a typical shortsighted 6-year-old who wants candy for her birthday and whines when she opens only socks and underwear.
This month I have had the opportunity once again to spend time with my grandma in Minnesota. By the time I leave here, I will have been with her about six weeks. What an unspeakable privilege to be around the epitome of Godly widowhood! Her level of service and ministry and prayer for the body of Christ is one I am learning to emulate. At the same time, being in town has given me the chance to spend a lot of time with multiple aunts and uncles - playing cards, talking, and working. I knew I loved them, but now that love is stronger than it's ever been. I've also been able to play the piano and do other things to support my grandma's church, a place that was dear to the heart of my grandpa, who died last year. My family has such a rich Christian heritage and I enjoy any time I can spend soaking it in and learning to appreciate more fully and deeply those who have given this heritage to me. If I were in a different stage of life (oh, say, married with children), I could not be here doing these things.
This month has truly been a gift from the Lord to me. It's a good gift, a perfect gift, and I am confident it comes from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no shadow of turning. Not a sparrow falls from its nest, not a hair falls from a head, but that same Father notices. Surely He also knows there's a girl by my name that would love to serve a husband. But do you know what? This month He knew the gift I needed even more and that was to be here with Grandma and serve where I am serving. Whether it looks like candy or underwear to me makes no difference - it is the best gift because it is the one I have been given by the best Giver. Lord, I receive this month of
October with joy, knowing it came from You.
Posted by lilypress at October 14, 2005 1:06 AM
Comments
I really appreciated this article, as it touched on the struggle I have again encountered. I am, for the most part, content with my singleness, but I will go through phases of deep longing for marriage. Those are times when I need to praise God again for the blessing of singleness. It truly is a privilege to have this season of my life to prepare for marriage, and to live wholeheartedly for God, as in 1 Cor. 7.
Thank you for reminding us of the blessings of singleness!
Posted by: Annie Graber at October 26, 2005 1:30 PM
