Losing and Living

Being single is not a curse. 
Being single is not an incurable disease.  
Being single does not make you lame.
Being single does not make you a loser.  
Being single does not mean you will be alone forever. 

I am only twenty-two measly years old. I have plenty of single friends older than me and seem to be perfectly okay with being single.  

So why do I struggle with it? Why do I long for companionship? For the life of a housewife? To be a mom? Probably because that is the way God made me (I guess that is the right answer.)

I think someday when I am married, I will look back and be very grateful for the period of my life where I was single. So why can I not accept it now? 
Probably because I graduated from Williams Bridal College or because I need a guy man to tell me all the wonderful things about me or because I am not patient enough to (pardon the cliche’ phrase) let God write my love story.

Lucky for me, I am not alone. Plenty of women and men struggle with these same issues. I think us unmarrieds just want people to stop reminding us that we are single, saying cliche things like: “Paul was single.” “If you stop looking, love will find you.” or my personal favorite “Maybe you should join eHarmony or Christian Mingle.” 

I know that God is preparing me & (insert name of non-existent husband here) for a wonderful marriage, but you know what? Waiting sucks. However, I know I can find hope that this season in my life is for a reason. 

Till then, boys, I’m available for dates. 

Being single is wonderful. 
Being single is healthy. 
Being single is common.
Being single is freedom. 
Being single is a time of growth. 

corycopeland:

Being single doesn’t diminish your value as a person or as a Christian. Don’t let anyone tell you or make you feel otherwise.

corycopeland:

I think more people would believe in God if we Christians tried harder to love the way He does.

Yesterday, I was listening to a cover of Mumford and Sons, “The Cave.”  I am pretty sure the majority of you reading this (if anyone reads this..) have heard that song. Anyways, one of the lines says

“I know my call despite my faults and despite my growing fears..”

Every since I first heard the song, this line has just hit me at home every time.  Yesterday it struck a completely different cord.  As many know, I am moving to Little Rock May 21st to intern for the summer with Church Argenta and then after summer call Argenta home (for the time being at least.)  

To be completely honest, I am really scared.  I’m scared of what I am going to do wrong and where I am going to fail. I am fearful because I need a job, I need to live. I have been struggling with the fact that my Bachelor’s degree is in Christian Ministries and what does that mean to people in the secular world? “Oh, this girl is a Bible thumper.” Yes, I moved to Tennessee and dropped out of school, but this is different. This is closer to home, closer to loved ones…  It is safe to say I am scared. 

But yesterday, through the struggles and after applying for 13 jobs, my close friend said “Casey, you got that degree for a reason.” And those words comforted me more than she knows.

Last night I was reminded of Romans 8:28. 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
 
And then I thought about Philippians 4, where Paul is encouraging the Philippians and thanking them for their care of him.  

Philippians 4:9 gave me more hope than imagined, because that was not even the verse I was looking to read.  Like Jennifer said, “Casey, you got this degree for a reason…” This verse reminded me, that I must practice what I have learned, no matter where I work, live, or whatever…God is with me. 

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

God calls us for a purpose and though it may be scary, the end results are worth the obedience.