A SINGLETON, PART TWO.

Sometimes I feel like singleness is everywhere these days. We're either talking about, blogging about, or wishing we were no longer in this life stage. I think it's especially hard when we see people enjoying the stage of life that we're not in but want to be so. so. so badly.

I wish I could say that I'll get married someday. I wish I could say that I'll have three or four kids (named Callen, Elliott, Hannah, and Maya) running around my feet as I embrace my husband after a hard day's work. I wish I could say all of that was true.

But truth is, that's my plan. The plan that I have for myself. And truth be told, this life, this life that I too often think is mine really isn't. That's not to say that God is controlling my every move like a robot, but He does have plans for me. I believe that God gives us complete control over our own lives, giving us freedom to follow Him or to follow others. And for me, it's all too easy to fall into that rut of following or desiring what others have.

But then I'm reminded that this life isn't mine to live. Part of accepting Jesus in my heart means that I also need to realize that He's the best planner out there. I need to place my hope for the future in His hands. Even though I'm a super planner who likes control over most things, He knows what He's doing. He's had lots of experience, after all. But in all seriousness, I believe and put my hope in the fact that God has good plans for me. They may not be my plans, but they're the most perfect plans for me. And so far, all of the plans that He's placed in my life have turned out pretty great.

And being single is getting better as time goes on. I still have those days now and then but it's also been a good push for me to further my relationship in Him and with others. My singleness has actually been a true blessing as I've had the opportunity connect with other bloggers who share and can relate to my singleton status. This time last year, I never could have imagined my struggles would turn into friendships. And even though there are things and places I'd rather be right now, I'm truly enjoying my time. And the more I find myself digging into the Word, the less time I find myself digging into my dreams.

And I have to say that reading 1st Corinthians was also a blessing for me. It was a challenge for me to rethink how I view and take marriage for granted, even as a singleton. Thinking only about the happy things that come with marriage and forgetting that marriage is actual work. It's also precious and something that isn't meant to be played around with. It's something that God created and values. Marriage is also something I need to value, too. So I challenge you, as a married lady, dating gal, or single girl like me, to read 1st Corinthians (particularly chapter seven). It's full of amazing knowledge, I tell ya.

But then again, the entire Bible is.