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Dear Single Woman,
I know you.
Not too many years ago, I was you:
A single woman in her 20s who'd recently finished college, had a decent job, plenty of social activity, and everything going for her.
Except one thing.
Marriage was first and foremost in my mind, too, largely because it seemed to be expected of me. At one point, in a moment of desperation, I seriously considered a proposal from someone I knew was not right for me. But thank you, Jesus, for giving me the courage to say "no" and continue in my singleness. It would only be a short time later that the man who would become my husband appeared in my life.
I know how it feels to desire something so badly that you'll think about, maybe even risk, compromising your own integrity to achieve it.
I know what it's like to consider lowering your standards for someone who catches your eye, treats you decently, and seems like "a good enough person."
I know how easy it is to think you can fix that guy and bring him to Christ (and, yes, that is a possibility...sometimes). But that doesn't always happen and marriage for marriage's sake is only a temporary solution, a band-aid for your aching heart that will so quickly lose its stick and require major surgery to fix.
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Single Woman, you are beautiful. Created in the image of our heavenly Father, you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). God knows the plans He has for you, and those plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
You have high expectations for the man who will be your future husband. Cling to them, and don't ever lower them to achieve a momentary happiness. You will be miserable in the long run. Stop listening to people who say you need to "be realistic." Never settle.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Trust in Him. Pray daily for God's will to be done. Believe in Him. Don't rely on your heart; it is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9).
Your heavenly Father wants to give you good gifts (Luke 11:11-13). Ask for them. But be content with His answer. It may mean waiting a long time for Mr. Right. Or he may be waiting just around the corner. It may also mean being single for life, but there is joy in living the life God has called you to.
Use this time of singleness to serve the Lord.
- Be an encouragement to the youth at your church.
- Teach a Sunday school class.
- Serve on a committee at church that you've never been a part of.
- Be a nursery worker.
- Visit the elderly and shut-ins.
- Go on a mission trip: see the world and be an ambassador of Christ to others.
- Take every opportunity to pray, to meditate on the Word, to encourage others.
- Count your blessings, and see how richly God has given to you.
Find opportunities to be fruitful in this season of your life. Enjoy this season and don't wish it away. Put your hope in God alone, not in any man. Your Father loves & cares deeply for you.
"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31
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Love,
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Thanks for this! I had a couple more options to add to your list of thing we can do while we wait. I'm a children's librarian - so for 40 hours a week I am serving the children of my community (including many that also attend my church) as my job. So when I'm at church I'm not especially eager to work with the kids - because I am doing that so much during the week. So I flex my homemaker servant muscle instead by working with the meal ministry - delivering health home cooked meals to families with new babies or who are going through surgery or illness. I also volunteer for non-profits in my area - such as the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity. So there's two more great options for single women of any age.
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