When you ask someone what their favorite season is, people usually respond with summer, spring, fall, or winter because those are the four seasons that we are taught about in grade school. However, what we aren't taught about in grade school are the seasons that God creates for us.

As a Christian, we serve a God of Seasons. There is no time limit — no expectation for each season that he creates for us. Why? Because we have no idea why he puts us through the seasons until we are already fully in love with it.

That's why my favorite season is, wait for it, the Season of Singleness.

I’ve been single for most of my college life, so for the past two years, I’ve been single. And there were glorious times that I cherished being single — like the first week of Freshman year and going out night after night and not having to worry about reporting back to anyone or crossing any lines. Or the fact that I didn’t have to scrounge around for extra money when holidays came around so I could buy a gift for my significant someone.

I had no one tying me down, no one holding me accountable — I was living free. At least, I thought I was.

Take a close look at those reasons I just listed as my reasons for why I “loved” being single. You see the mistake? The issue? No? Neither did I until it smacked me right across the face one lonely Saturday night. The reasons why I was so “happy” with being single was because I was blinded by the materialistic aspect that life too willingly offers to young women.

I was in love with the idea of being single but as I sat alone in my dorm room on that Saturday night, I realized that I wasn’t happy at all – with myself, with my life, with being single.

So, I made a change and I turned to the only man that I knew had the answers: God. I started praying to him every night, that he would allow me to see my reflection as He saw me and be happy with what I saw. That he would allow me to find myself and love myself before I found someone else and started loving them. And you know what God did? He providedme with more answers than I ever expected.

In 1 Corinthians 7: 34 and 35, it says,

“An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world – how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”

Wow.

Just those simple verses should show you why we, women of the Single Season, should glorify in this season. God is literally saving the best for last. He is allowing us to grow in Him so we can serve our future boyfriend/girlfriend to the best of our abilities — to the best of God's abilities. He is affirming our spiritual growth so we can plant seeds in those who come across our paths. We are His and He is not ready to let us go. Can you imagine that? Being so wonderful and amazing that God himself isn’t ready to let us go to someone else?

We can glorify in this Season of Singleness because he made this season for that purpose. For us to glorify and grow in it.

So, instead of wallowing in self-pity and being envious of all of the happy couples you see on Instagram (trust me, I’ve been there), rejoice and be happy! For God has given you the greatest gift so far! The gift of freedom and strength.

“So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10

Use this extra time that you have to yourself to build yourself up and glorify in it! Better yourself by finding yourself. Use this Season of Singleness to help yourself see the beloved being that God sees when He looks down on you.

Don’t be scared, because you aren’t the only one going through this transition and when in doubt, talk to God and he will provide you with more answers than you could imagine.