Ahhh, summer is on its way! We think and dream of beach vacations where we can wiggle our toes in the sand and slather on the suntan lotion. Or, it might be more our style relaxing in the cool mountain pines and camping out near a lake. Whatever we choose to do with our next summer vacation, we need to take it all in with a sense of wonder and awe, grateful for what has been given to us.
If an out-of-town vacation is out of the question, we can put effort into creating something fun and unique to do near home. Take a different route on a daily walk and discover new sights that have been taken for granted. No one has ever seen every single site within twenty miles of their own home. Now is the time!
Take along a camera and capture the beauty of hometown sites then print, mat and frame the collection to hang on our walls. Visit local museums that have been bypassed, try a different nursery and buy a plant we’ve never nurtured before, and go on inexpensive day trips in our own state. The possibilities are endless.
Breathe!
Jumping into new adventures not only breaks the cycle of “sameness,” but helps us to deal with a few of the not-so-fun summer activities. June, of course, is the typical month for weddings. It seems like everyone we know has a significant other and is either getting married or getting engaged. We get invited to these celebrations and the good, bad, and in-between memories “light the corners of our minds.” Nostalgia sets in and we are at a loss to handle the feelings.
Take a deep breath and let it out s-l-o-w-l-y, because our emotions are normal. There is nothing wrong with our response, nor is there anything wrong with ourselves. Being single-again is not a curse as some seem to think! It just gives us more options and freedom to choose what we want to do. It’s critical to understand--whether we are single or married--both positions are equally important for different reasons.
We can consider singleness as a “gift,” just as marriage is a “gift.” Some people simply work better together as a team. But some of us enjoy the independence we have to get things done at a pace that works best for us. We are organized and know what we need to do to accomplish the next step. When our brains are in “think” mode, we enjoy the peace and quiet.
Believe It, or Not
God has much to say in the Bible about marriage. But, here is an amazing thought: it is not His only plan for humans! One of the most prolific men in the Bible is Paul. He wrote thirteen or fourteen books of the New Testament himself. That took a tremendous amount of time and concentrated effort, believe me. It’s not like he had a smart computer to make things go faster. No, he needed to spend day and night on his creativity. Better that he was never married. His wife would never have seen him if he was.
We could say Paul’s best “gift” was his singleness. He was able to serve the Lord with all he had in him without distractions or interruptions. Therefore, he felt he could do more for the Lord than if he had been married. Makes sense.
Although rare for women in the Bible to remain single, there are a few. None more famous than Deborah, the first and only woman judge over Israel. Wow! She would have fit right into the 21st Century with no problem! Deborah, most likely, recognized a “higher calling” and served the Lord with courage (no reference material speaks of Deborah as ever being married).
Please remember: remaining single, or not, is between you and God. He knows and cares about your situation. He has a plan. Ask for His wisdom and he will direct you in the way you should go.
“But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows--it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am” (1 Corinthians 7:7-8 NLT).
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