Today is one of those days that has had all the feelings involved....
I started the day at a fundraising breakfast for a local school, where the flags were presented by the school's Boy Scout Troop with an elementary boy's voice beginning "I pledge allegiance to the flag". Soon after the entire room was in sync as we said the pledge. My heart soared as that child led the room of adults, most of whom are likely in knots over the current state of our great Country.
I sat outside at lunch today, grateful for the sunshine and reprieve to our h.o.t. Texas summers.
A little later today I swiped through my Facebook and saw the brother of one of my musician friends had passed away very early in the morning after complications from heart surgery. I was reminded how fleeting life is.
At work a sense of accomplishment over a project I have been working on for several weeks that finally has seen some progress.
Tonight on my walk with Auggie, complete silence at one point, not a car sound to be heard, so rare in the city. I slowed us down and just took in those few peaceful moments. It reminded me of home where the only sounds from the porch are typically a cow, dog or mower.
Oftentimes one of the question I am asked about being S I N G L E is how do you not grow bitter? Today on my walk I was thinking about this questions and how life requires endurance.
When I got home I hopped on Facebook to wish a couple of friends Happy Birthday before I started writing today's post. Before I could click to birthdays, the first post I saw was from one of my very early friends in Houston I met through church. (Sidenote: she got engaged to her husband on the 40th day of dating & is soon to celebrate their 13th anniversary! Awesome!) But yesterday she lost her brother in law in a tragic plane crash. It's also the week of her 40th birthday, one with special plans to celebrate, now changed.
As I'm sitting here I'm thinking about the day, all of these things I've taken in by myself. Because I am S I N G L E. Sure, days like this are the ones I would like someone to process everyday life with; one who hears me, celebrates and grieves, loves me, and also knows my heart and cares for it. Someone who I would return all of those things to as well.
The reason why I don't grow bitter:
God gives me strength to endure.
I am gifted with parents who never shame me for being S I N G L E, dear friends - which lots of them are more like family, a job (and I've endured lengthy seasons without), my health, a place to live that I really like, my cute dog (who I'm also currently playing fetch with) and so many other blessings.
And, above all those things God; who hears me, celebrates and grieves alongside me, loves me, and also knows my heart even better than I do and cares for my heart more than anyone ever will.
Though more than I need endurance for being S I N G L E,
every one of us needs endurance for life.
Endurance for the highest highs, the lowest lows and all the everyday moments in between. Getting married will not exclude me, or you, from that need. In fact, I believe it will magnify it. Marriage is a whole different type of endurance, one that requires two individuals working together as a team for the same goal. Endurance that can only come from a hope that isn't in the things of this world.
My hope to you if you feel like there is no light at the end of the S I N G L E tunnel to take a look around you. Maybe start writing a note on your phone, or in a journal, of things to be grateful for and adding to it every day. When you feel like the days are hard, whether you're by yourself or dating or have a spouse, look back over the list, and add something new from that day.
Because, there will always be something to be grateful for.
And know, God sees you, loves you and leads this race one step ahead of you if you're willing to follow Him.
A couple of my favorite reminders from Scripture of endurance:
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us
Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
If you're just joining in from #write31days, I'm so glad you're here!
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