.. To all my friends who feel like ladies in waiting..
We are all waiting for something. And ultimately we are waiting for the promised yet not experienced– heaven.
But today I have a special word for my single friends. I am preparing for a talk on singleness and so I have you on my heart (Ps: in case you didn’t know I am single and 32 so you know where I am coming from). If you are not single, would you share this with your single friends who may need a little encouragement.
Friends–
You may find yourself single. You may love being single, or you may be like many of my friends and me at times who would just love to go on a date like the Hallmark movies, be swept off your feet and end up marrying them fellow who is the perfect Christian gentleman of course) (Ps : apparently if you watch enough Hallmark films at Christmas we are single because we need to own a Christmas tree farm or get lost in the snow. That seems to work in Hallmark world)
Singleness involves quite a bit of waiting. Waiting and wondering what to do with longings. Longings to be noticed, to be the one chosen– like Cinderella have the prince charming come after you with the perfect fitting shoe.
I do have rather stinky feet.. hmm.. maybe that would not be the most romantic moment for my poor prince.
I don’t know if I have a husband or not . I don’t know what God has written in the story of my life. I do long for that. So one might think that means I am a “lady in waiting”
that is way to prim and proper sounding
But really friends– I never want to be described as a “lady in waiting”. I want to someone who is a lady living. A lady who has come alive because she is loved by the only one truly worth waiting for. The one who, like the prince who rescued Cinderella– invites me to dance and even better then offering me the shoe offers me heaven.
Friends.. You are wanted.
Let that sink in. You are not waiting to get in a relationship to be wanted. You are wanted … here.. now.. you are wanted by a God who wanted you so much He sent His son FOR YOU.
Sometimes as singles we think we are lacking. There is something wrong with us. Let me whisper/shout to you. You are not single because you are not enough, you are to much, you are to fat, to skinny, to quiet, to loud– you fill in your own blank.
You will not become in a relationship if you become more, become less, lose weight, gain weight, get quieter, get louder. These are lies of the enemy that make you feel you are waiting.
You are wanted. You are His. And He is dancing over you with singing. Right now. Zephaniah 3:17.
Singleness is not about who you are waiting for, but who you become as you wait with the Lord.
Live knowing you are wanted so you do not have to live wanting.
I’m linked after you at Coffee for Your Heart… Just wanted to say I love this. I am a lady in waiting, too, just a different kind of waiting. (I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to have a baby for 3 years). I was single until I was 30, so I can resonate with this post. I love your term “lady living.” I wish I had heard that back when I was struggling with singleness. Also, your stinky feet comment made me laugh. The first time my then-boyfriend (now husband) tried to rub my feet, I made him stop and ran out of the room to wash my feet because I knew they stunk! LOL. He told me then he didn’t care if they stunk, and I didn’t believe him. But now I let him rub my stinky feet all the time. 🙂 I pray that God will give you a man who will do the same for you!
You’re living well, lady! And I love what you said about waiting vs. living. Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Loved your encouraging words, Jenn. I have a few single friends who I think would benefit from them and I’m going to pass them on. But you spoke to my (very married) heart, as well. Remembering that we are wanted, that we are His, regardless of past choices or present circumstances is such a powerful way to live. That in Him we are not lacking, but completely beloved. Thanks for sharing!
This is one of your best posts!