Let's Be Independent Together!

Learning from the pros: Hermey and Rudolph

You're independent, they tell you. Independence seems to make singleness an attractive status, does it not? You can do whatever you want, whenever. What about the times you really want to be doing your "independent" thing with someone else? When you are hoping to share the adventure? More than that, you want to share laughter, ideas, and time.

Freedom or a Cage?

Does independence free you, or cage you? Do you make decisions to go out, do more and learn new things, regardless of who (if anyone) is by your side? Or do you wait around by yourself, hoping someone will remember you? When you seclude yourself, you open the door to letting your thoughts and the lies you’ve heard become more and more real. You start to convince yourself that this is how it will always be, and that you don’t deserve someone.

That’s not true. We were created to be in relationship with God, first of all. It’s important to remember that God made Adam... and then He made Eve. It wasn't good for man to be alone, so God sent Eve to fill that need.

Filling the Void

We cannot fill each other’s emptiness. The ache for companionship and love is only truly filled by God. Once your heart belongs to God, you are in the right place. God knows the desires of your heart… and if you are willing to ask Him to make His desires your desires, you are going to have a full, wonderful life! If He placed the desire in your heart to be married, He will fulfill that desire. He knows your spouse, and you, better than you know yourself. He knows what you need to be learning while you are still single, so that you will be ready to be the best you for the love of your life. I have to remind myself not to get so caught up with my plans and my timing… because God holds time in His hands, and has the bigger picture.

I’m going to live this day fully, by being my spunky independent self. Being alone isn’t the worst thing ever. But… if you want to join in on the adventures, and add your own spin to it, I’d be happy to let you J.

This post was also published on my other blog: http://afuturehope.wordpress.com 

Walking Down the Aisle...

The way he looked at her brought tears to my eyes. 

When Jimmy married one of my best friends, Christy, it was a beautiful moment.

The love between them was so obvious. Their mutual respect for each other, their devotion to God, their Christ-centered relationship, and their passion for life was inspiring. Here was a couple that God brought together.

Who do you watch?

Most people watch the bride coming down the aisle at the wedding. But I like to watch the groom. Every groom has a priceless reaction when he first sees his bride walking down the aisle. Adoration, devotion, excitement, and wonder flash in his eyes.

And sometimes, tears are found there too. To me, those tears reveal that the groom knows how blessed he is to become the husband of this wonderful woman in white walking towards him. And the tears in her eyes says she finds it hard to believe that she found this amazing man that wants to spend the rest of his life with her. She wants to spend the rest of her life showing him how much she loves and respects him.

Big decision

Next to choosing to follow Christ, choosing your life partner is the biggest decision you will make. In our disposable society, I think we often make light of the marriage covenant. As Christians, we are looking for the one person we want to spend the rest of our life with. The bond of marriage is lifelong, and very serious.

The marriage vows are a promise to never give up on "us". The difficulties will come, the differences in opinion will surface, and arguments will happen. But the choice to love is one that we have to make. No one will be lovable 100% of the time. With marriage, you are saying that you will love them even when they say something ugly, when they let you down, and when their health fails.

I've been able to witness first hand my parents continued marriage of 30 years! I know this is not the norm, and I am so grateful God has brought them through all the storms. And, I've seen a lot of the joys they've shared together! They've lived in another country, took us kids on vacations, and had date nights throughout the years.

Marriages that last

But you know what the real difference was? God. Their marriage is centered on God and His will in their lives. They raised me to know who He is, and to make my faith my own. I pray that I will find a love like theirs someday; Christ-honoring, respectful, fun, and faithful.