Savoring the single life

I am going to have a moment of transparency here. That was my warning so stop reading now if you're not ready for it! Ok, being single and in your mid-twenties is HARD. Rough cookies. A tish embarrassing, lonely, frustrating, sad...I think you get my point! I feel like a human version of Eeyore, sheesh! These last few years have been especially difficult just because I have felt like I'm ready for a relationship and all my friends seem to be in one so my turn is coming up. That's how it works after graduating college and finding a job, right? Well, not always.

I've read books, blog posts, articles and heard all sorts of people talk about the mystical pros of being single at my age. I'm "free" to travel, explore, invest my time into learning new things and finding myself (not that I've mastered any yet). Yet no one ever asks you about those things at family gatherings or when you bump into an old friend. You get asked "Are you dating anyone?" Trust me I know it's either a way of making conversation or they truly care about me and want to see me happy. But why does it always seem to have the opposite effect on me?  I feel like I'm behind on some unknown time frame (and my eggs will soon be hard-boiled before I will have children) or perhaps there is something wrong with me?

I couldn't resist a little humor!

 Neither of those thoughts are true and I owe a big thanks to my good friend Kara for sending me an article about being single, satisfied, and sent. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 about how being unmarried limits us from earthly distractions and concerns that can and will arise when married. What an awesome way to view this chapter of my life...as a time spent completely devoted and surrendered to God. This is the time to give Him my all since He gave the biggest sacrifice of all just for me.

God's timing is always perfect. Perhaps I'm not ready to handle the distractions and concerns that will be added to my life with a boyfriend or husband. Or perhaps He is calling me to some sort of mission work that just isn't as feasible to do when I'm in a relationship. God knows, and I need to work on being more intentional to listen to what He is calling me to pursue!