All the single ladies {or men for that matter}

So the other day I was on Boundless reading an article and it linked me to a Carolyn McCulley post.  In this post she was responding to a reader who believed they "couldn't go on any longer" being single and were literally ready to take anything that came their way {even if it meant being unequally yoked}.

I would be lying to say I haven't felt that same temptation before.  I go through seasons where I am perfectly content in my singleness and then have others where I do desire someone to share my life with {there, I said it and it wasn't easy!}.

Back to the article, what really stood out to me was this:

The finish line is not the marriage altar, as good and right as marriage can be. The finish line is seeing your Lord and Savior face to face, in glory.

I had to read that a couple of times.

I can't even begin to describe how many times I believe the lie that "marriage will complete me" or "it will make me happier".  I am sure having a spouse will be a wonderful thing in the Lord's timing.

Hard to swallow? Certainly.  But if I honestly think about it, living my life to become someone's wife and that's it? Nothing beyond that! {and I am not in any shape or form demoting marriage, I am saying it should not be your end goal} I know that my life would feel void.

I pray for me and for all those singles reading this who are aching for a companion that God would remind you that marriage is not the end goal in life, but seeing Jesus face to face is.  Let us stand and encourage each other that God's will is the best for our lives {even when its so. stinkin. hard} and may we also be reminded that we have a Saviour who was tempted in every way, who loves and aches with us.

Good Things

your ex boyfriends mom so happy to see you (just to give you context things ended well, nothing nasty just more fear of the akward unknowns), embracing you with a hug, kiss, great convo and homemade yummy Chinese food.

relationship not lost, PRAISE GOD!

There is None like Him

The other night my friend shared with me this beautiful story that gave me a better understanding of how God's love and discipline can be at work at the same time:

There once was a little girl (let's call her Sophie) and her dad (named Charles). Sophie had just finished watching an episode of Dora the explorer and was ready for another one. However Sophie's dad knew that if Sophie didn't get enough sleep she would be cranky the next day. So he told her:
"Sophie, it's time for bed"
Sophie, however didn't want to sleep. She wanted to stay up and watch Dora. So she started to cry. She was very upset.
Sophie's dad saw that Sophie was upset,
so he
picked her up,
held her and
cried with her.
After, he cried with Sophie, he told her that she still needed to go to bed and there would be lots of Dora waiting for her in the morning.

I definitely cried when my friend told me this story. What a beautiful illustration of the love of God and how He mourns with those who mourn and yet still does His will with us because He knows what is best for us.

I am so thankful that we have a God who mourns with us and at the same time disciplines us. What other God can do that? I am so thankful He is a God who mourns and doesn't tell us to just "tough it up and deal". I am so thankful that we can cry out to Him whenever. I am so thankful we are free from condemnation in Christ Jesus. I am so thankful that my God is not an angry God, demanding works from us before we approach His throne. I am so thankful that we can approach His throne of grace, just as we are, knowing He will welcome us home with open arms, just as the father did with the prodigal son.