Forever For His Glory

These past 12 months (April 2016 - April 2017) were honestly the most painful and yet best I have ever had. They were challenging in ways that I didn’t expect and joyful in ways that were surprising. My heart felt like it was constantly in a time of being broken and then built back together only to have it broken and put back together, stronger than before. And not always broken in bad ways, but simply having preconceived ideas and dreams challenged and things stripped away and replaced. And it hurt! But God is good and He makes things new! When I used to hear people say, “I’m in a time of consecration” I’d just think, that’s kind of odd…. Isn’t that just the way singles are supposed to live? What’s the point? Ha ha ha….. This year: I’ve discovered is that it is very hard to be mentally “not available” when I technically am available (single). Before, there was pretty much always the thought in the back of my head of, “ What if he shows up soon?! ”. It took time...

“We’re not perfect, but we’re perfectly imperfect for each other”, she replied, smiling as her eyes divulged the many emotions she was feeling. Today I was thinking about couples that I know. Some are together, some just had painful break-ups, some are in the process, and some just smile at each other from across the room. The friend that I was talking to that said the above quote is in one of the more pleasant categories and I’m excited for them! Not just in a, “Oh! Its another cute couple!” but in a “I know they’ve prayed a lot about this, they know each other, they’ve been friends, and they don’t have unrealistic expectations” way. I’ve seen so many couples going into relationships with unrealistic expectations, only to have their heart broken because the other person didn’t fulfill them in the ways they wanted, or they discovered that they were a sinner, or maybe they just plunged in too hard too fast without really knowing the other person and the direction they ...

“ Have you met your Prince Charming yet ?” I hate to admit it, but I find those comments highly amusing. I have always found it funny as I have listened to single young ladies tell about how everyone is always asking if they have “ found the one ” and the different ways people find to bring up the subject and “subtly” ask the question. And to be honest, I was looking forward to the time when I would be asked that (on a regular basis), just because it amuses me so much. Well, it has finally happened. Over the last year or so, now that people know that both of my brothers are taken/married, and I’m “ the last one ”, I have had a record breaking amount of people ask me where my “ Sweetheart ” is (to quote one dear lady). Generally, I always go with the nod-your-head-and-smile-while-trying-not-to-pop-their-bubble-about relationships-too-much approach. You know, the one where you try to tell them that you don’t want a boyfriend, but at the same time not give th...

Love. Probably the most misused word in our English vocabulary. I have spent many hours pondering “love”; what exactly is it? And how is it shown? Growing up, I watched the Disney Princess movies. I know, I know, if anyone has an incorrect view of love, it was them. Boy meets girl (via her singing or dancing, or being locked in a dungeon, etc), becomes smitten (fights off dragons, angry mobs, and jealous stepmothers), and ultimately gets the girl. In my 8 year old mind, I thought it was so romantic that Sleeping Beauty was awakened with a kiss (of true love!), and that Cinderella’s Prince fell in love with her during a dance. I thought it was so sweet! As I have grown older, I have been thinking about those relationships, and how carnal they were. Extremely handsome Prince meets beautiful Princess. Immediately becomes smitten and would do anything to save her. The Disney Princes were any little girls dream guy. They were kind, considerate, dash...