Being single is not a curse...

We are just a few weeks away from one of the most loving days of the year.  The one where you show your loved one how much you appreciate them, how much you care about them and how much you love them.  I'm sure you can guess by now that I am talking about Valentine's Day.  AKA: Single Awareness Day.  Here I come...on my 24th year of spending this Valentines Day alone.  Did I just admit that?  I have never had a Valentine in my whole life.  Whew...that feels better to let that one out.  I used to be quite embarrassed to admit that.  Because in my mind...I felt like there must be something wrong with me.  Why have I gone my whole 24 years of living without experiencing what it feels like to have a significant other?  To know what it feels like to have flowers sent to me just because.  To get a sweet love note left on my car.  To have that good morning text to wake up to.  I am here to tell you that I am no longer ashamed nor do I feel like I have some sort of "I will never find love disease."

The life of singleness is not easy for someone my age.  It almost seems that every time I sign onto facebook another person has gotten engaged, has gotten married, went on an amazing date, found out they are pregnant or just had their second child.  Ti's the season in my life for these type of events to happen.  And I think I speak for every single person out there...It is hard.  It is hard to see others getting engaged, it is hard to see others starting families, it is hard to see someones love-life flourishing right before your eye's while you are sitting over here drinking a bottle of wine and watching sappy love movies while forcing your dog to cuddle with you.  If I could have it my way...I would have my facebook for just my single friends and then a separate facebook for all my married, engaged, happily dating friends.  If I were to be honest, I would rarely sign onto the facebook with all of my married, engaged, happily dating friends.  I'm sure I am speaking for all of my single friends when I say that.

As I have examined my life, I have tried understand why I am where I am today.  Why am I still single?  With much prayer and reading God's word...here are 2 simple conclusions.

• It is simply not my time.
• God has put no age limit on the right time to find true love.  There is no where in the bible that states you must be married by 21 and you better start your family by the time you turn 22.  God is using me and my singleness for His glory in this season of my life.  While sometimes I do not understand why I am single, God will never let me feel as though I am less of a christian because of singleness.  He is using me, my talents and gifts through my singleness that would maybe hold me back if I were in a relationship.  
• God is still preparing my heart as well as my future husbands heart.
• If you are anything like me you are probably rolling your eye's right about now.  I used to be so sick of reading books, blogs, articles about preparing your heart for marriage.  I used to think...why is God taking so long to prepare my heart while Susie Q. over there is getting married at the age of 18.  I had to let go of my jealously to understand what is truly means for God to prepare your heart for your future spouse.  Each person has different gifts.  Each person goes through different trials in their life.  Each person is designed to accomplish different things in their life to glorify God.  God knows my desire.  He knows how badly I desire to one day find my God-mate.  But God also knew us before we were born.  He skillfully designed each and every one of us so that we can live out His story and His love.  Susie Q. was meant for marriage at 18 because God had specific path for her so that she can live out God's love and truth.  God specifically designed me to wait for a relationship so that I can ultimately glorify Him during my singleness season.  He has a plan...He is preparing me every day so that I will live out His love and share His story.  He is using my singleness right here and right now.  Someones got to do it...and He CHOSE me.  So I finally had to surrender and say God use me at your will, for your glory in my days of singleness.   

Being single is not a curse.  It does not mean you are less of a christian.  He does not mean you have some sort of anti-love disease.  It does not mean that you will be single forever.  I do believe that God puts desires in your hearts and if you so desire to one day be married...God will full-fill that desire.  But God will also do it in His timing.  Under His conditions...not yours.  I am not saying that it still won't sting occasionally when you see that "I'm engaged!" status update.  It won't mean that you won't still struggle with that desire to have someone in your life who is your love, who will drop everything to listen to you, who will love you even on your bad days.  But I can promise you that God is still using YOU.  He still needs God-fearing single people in this world to show people God's love, to live out His story.  He uses us just like he uses married couples.  I do believe that one day I will find the man that God has designed for me.  He's just choosing to use us in different ways so that we may glorify Him before we find each other.  

Be bold. Show love.  Show grace.  Show mercy. Show patience. Because after God is through using you in your single days...He will have a WHOLE new task for you while He uses you during your married days.