Flip on the Lights again ~ Light on Singleness
"Coming home is always wonderful and lonely..."
I just messaged that to a dear friend on Facebook.
Here I sit, mid-morning, feeling droggy (i made up that word) as I look over the next few days. My house is cool (thank you LORD for a/c!), Sasha is snoozing on the rug at my feet, and it's just a gift of quietness... and alone-ness.
I have just spent the past five days traveling to Florida, visiting family, enjoying time off to go, visit, and connect with those I don't see as often as I would like. An odd stomach bug attacked while away so I have returned a bit more drained of energy than normal. Though the lonely-feeling is normal; my house is covering only me, not having a housemate makes it feel very lonely. So, I am praying for God to fill my yellow room with just the right personality!
Yesterday, on my return drive, I was delighted to catch a sermon. I think it was John McArthur, which I have not actually ever heard before, though his name sounds familiar. He was preaching on I Corinthians 7, and he was doing a pretty good job in dissecting and teaching it.
Funny how sometimes a phrase jumps out and grabs you; maybe it is something you have read, heard or even said yourself but a moment in time comes when the Spirit of God plugs in heavenly energy into it and it sparkles and glows with new light.
"Singleness is a gift, and it is good. Are you handling your singleness as a gift, and running with it as far and as fast as you can?" Later in the message McArthur pointed out marriage is bondage: now when I hear "bondage" I don't usually think positive; it's really a neutral word! So, let's look at it that way... when you are married, you are bound to another person. That can be positive and negative. I know, this seems very obvious, but these words fell into my ears and down into my soul in a very fresh way. Singleness does not mean we a void of relationships, but -if walking in the Ways of Christ- void of marital intimacy.
I like it when God flips on His heavenly lights and gives my mind and heart greater perspective. I have not even been thinking about this topic lately, well, not deeply anyhow. I am always aware of being single... and coming home to an empty house seems to highlight what is not there. Though, I can say I was very thankful I had no "bondage" last night when I crawled out of my car, with an undeterred focus on getting myself as quickly as I could into my bed. Exhaustion has a way of harvesting that kind of rejoicing over my singleness!!
When the morning light awakes me, the stillness of my house embraces me; it can start feeling not so wonderful of a gift. So...I move, feed the dog, make breakfast, read my Bible, forgo coffee as I have no cream, but make a lovely mental plan to utilize a gift certificate for a cool coffee joint downtown... and life begins to feel and look much better.
How can I utilize this gift of singleness! It is a gift... and God wants me to unwrap it and enjoy it every day!
I just messaged that to a dear friend on Facebook.
Here I sit, mid-morning, feeling droggy (i made up that word) as I look over the next few days. My house is cool (thank you LORD for a/c!), Sasha is snoozing on the rug at my feet, and it's just a gift of quietness... and alone-ness.
I have just spent the past five days traveling to Florida, visiting family, enjoying time off to go, visit, and connect with those I don't see as often as I would like. An odd stomach bug attacked while away so I have returned a bit more drained of energy than normal. Though the lonely-feeling is normal; my house is covering only me, not having a housemate makes it feel very lonely. So, I am praying for God to fill my yellow room with just the right personality!
Yesterday, on my return drive, I was delighted to catch a sermon. I think it was John McArthur, which I have not actually ever heard before, though his name sounds familiar. He was preaching on I Corinthians 7, and he was doing a pretty good job in dissecting and teaching it.
Funny how sometimes a phrase jumps out and grabs you; maybe it is something you have read, heard or even said yourself but a moment in time comes when the Spirit of God plugs in heavenly energy into it and it sparkles and glows with new light.
"Singleness is a gift, and it is good. Are you handling your singleness as a gift, and running with it as far and as fast as you can?" Later in the message McArthur pointed out marriage is bondage: now when I hear "bondage" I don't usually think positive; it's really a neutral word! So, let's look at it that way... when you are married, you are bound to another person. That can be positive and negative. I know, this seems very obvious, but these words fell into my ears and down into my soul in a very fresh way. Singleness does not mean we a void of relationships, but -if walking in the Ways of Christ- void of marital intimacy.
I like it when God flips on His heavenly lights and gives my mind and heart greater perspective. I have not even been thinking about this topic lately, well, not deeply anyhow. I am always aware of being single... and coming home to an empty house seems to highlight what is not there. Though, I can say I was very thankful I had no "bondage" last night when I crawled out of my car, with an undeterred focus on getting myself as quickly as I could into my bed. Exhaustion has a way of harvesting that kind of rejoicing over my singleness!!
When the morning light awakes me, the stillness of my house embraces me; it can start feeling not so wonderful of a gift. So...I move, feed the dog, make breakfast, read my Bible, forgo coffee as I have no cream, but make a lovely mental plan to utilize a gift certificate for a cool coffee joint downtown... and life begins to feel and look much better.
How can I utilize this gift of singleness! It is a gift... and God wants me to unwrap it and enjoy it every day!
Comments
My relationship with Christ is the oneness my heart desires most.
This is only a note to you... I was reading what Anonymous said above and I thought, wow, sounds like something I would say . . . AND IT WAS. I forgot I had written it until I got to the very bottom. Memory issues? :-) Frank
You really are very deep. That is attractive and romantic.