Marriage

I want to get married. There, I said it. It wasn’t that hard, was it? Actually, yeah it was. Why is it like pulling teeth for me to admit that I would love to spend the rest of my life with a guy whose sole purpose is to follow Jesus in a radical way? Maybe it’s because I’m afraid that just because I want that to happen, doesn’t mean that it will. Am I so arrogant to think that there isn’t a single guy out there that would give up anything in the pursuit of God’s glory? They’re out there, I know. The litmus test is this: will we serve God better together than we would apart? That’s a tough question to answer, but I think it’s the right question to ask. If it’s all about bringing Him more glory, then the purpose of a Christian marriage should be to bring Him more glory. The problem still remains. What if I could bring Him more glory outside the context of marriage? Hmm… Praise God that He is in control. Otherwise, I might go crazy.

Biblical Womanhood Made Easy

Well, easier, anyway. I feel that Biblical manhood makes Biblical womanhood a less daunting pursuit. In other words, when surrounded by men of God who are genuinely seeking His glory, it’s a little easier for women of God to genuinely seek His glory. I’m sure the reverse can be true, but I can’t see from a man’s perspective. As a young woman, I am challenged and encouraged by men at my church, because they have a passion for God. Certainly, they’re flawed individuals, but God is sanctifying them in a powerful way. I find it natural for me to fall into the place I should be when I have so many brothers and fathers in Christ (and maybe a crazy uncle or two) pointing me to God. Any thoughts?

Mother’s Day: A Time for Reflection

Mother’s Day is a time to honor and celebrate mothers. However, this day is not just for mothers. For me, Mother’s Day brings back vivd memories from childhood and reminds me to appreciate the influence my mom has had on my life. My mom has always supported me. When I decided to start a clinic for injured bugs, she encouraged me (she probably laughed hysterically when I left the room). When I wanted to try out for a guy’s basketball team and was turned down, she was frustrated with the people who suggested that I join cheerleading instead. She gave me the freedom to be myself through every phase, hobby, and pursuit. When I was a 4-year-old who loved dresses and toy food, she provided me with dresses and toy food. When I was a tomboy sports nut, she drove me to practices, camps, and games without complaint. Her servant’s heart and joyful giving is a beautiful example. God has blessed me with a wonderful mom. Sometimes I neglect to let her know how much I love and appreciate her. I know you’re reading this Mom, so I just want you to know that God has worked through you in amazing ways. Thanks for giving me just enough independence and for always letting me know that you care. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where or who I would be.

Becoming a Woman of God

God is molding me. He’s preparing me for something. If only I knew what that something is. Over the course of time, I’ve made some changes in how I think and in who I am. In the past, being different was a main goal in life. You could see it in the way I dressed, in my interests, and in my behavior. Growing up, I also wasn’t a fan of femininity. I wanted to do everything that the guys did, to wear what the guys wear, and to be one of the guys. I’m still a little rough around the edges, and I still need my guy time (guys are great, and I love hanging with them), but I certainly don’t want to be one of them. God, I believe, is in the process of knocking off some of those rough edges.

I don’t dwell much on singleness, unlike every Christian bookstore, single Christian blogger, Christian website, and Christian dating service. However, I’ve realized that if God wants me to be married, I’d better be ready for it. God alone knows what will happen in the future, and His plans are different for everyone. So, if marriage is part of me bringing glory to God, I need be a person who is marriageable. If I can better serve God as a single person, I need to be ready for that, too. I want to be fully surrendered to Him, and that includes my marital status.