Here's mom and dad... also known as Flo and Joe, respectively.
Aren't they adorable? They were married for 59 years. Then my dad changed his mailing address to Heaven...three years later mom went, too.
It's been a challenge learning how to live without them. To say adapt is woefully inadequate.
Since their passing, things have changed in consecutive 360* circles. Repeatedly.
As a young woman, I couldn't even imagine getting married.
When Jesus throttled my world at thirty four, I slowly grew to think that getting married would be a really cool thing.
Now, years later, I am learning to function as a single woman, for all intents and purposes, alone. Alone in a world designed for "twos."
It can, at times, be incredibly lonely.
The married couples usually tell me that I am better off single - "Married people are often as lonely as single people." "Marriage is overrated." "You're better off, you won't have to deal with divorce."
Wow...
How do I maintain sanity in all this?
Firstly, I am incredibly thankful for a God that takes care of me, and sends people to make the journey a little easier...
I keep my focus on the race that I am running... I am running to win... "Don't you realize that in a race everybody runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!" 1 Corinthians 9:24
and
as far as heaven goes, Jesus said it really well:
"When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will ALWAYS be with me where I am." John 14:3
I can't imagine a better place to be than in His arms, can you?
and
Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize that there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you Lao Tzu
and
"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth." 1 Timothy 6:6
So, let hope arise, and dare to trust the One that holds you in His Hands.
The best is yet to come!
God bless-
Lori
Oh my-lanta...
Have you ever had one of those days where you desperately wished that you could bring a fake tree around with you to hide in or behind all day?!?!?
Sometimes people mean well, but say the most unhelpful things... you know them, the "WMC"s, or 'Well Meaning Christians'; if they are not Christian, you can call them WMS' or "Well Meaning Souls". (shake my head)
With them, you need extra grace... generally a bottomless supply.
I got a great video from a friend that hit the nail on the head. "Things People Say to Singles" ... all.the.time. and yes, they do. I can personally attest to that. In fact, I could have added half dozen more.
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FC1M1CNU
With another tidal wave proportion of my friends "Tying the Knot" and taking the plunge, it seems that my circle of friends has gotten abysmally smaller. We that are left seem to cling together like drowning souls on a life raft.
While I am vehemently vexed at the onslaught of platitudes assailing me, I can take comfort in ONE thing and ONE thing alone.
Jesus is with me. He knows I am sometimes really really tired of taking this trip "alone". He knows how it is to ache for a hug or just someone to come home to. He gets it... He knows the desires of my heart. In fact, I might even go as far as to say, HE PUT a whole bunch of them there!
Laughter has been a saving grace for me, and the love of my growing friends and family is refreshing!
So, one day at a time, one moment at a time, I choose to let Him love me in the lonely times as much as I know He does all the other times.
I try and let Him, day by day, shift my often all too selfish focus onto Him, and I find that He sends me sooo many signs that He loves me and is with me :)
God bless you as you row closer to Home!
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