Fall has begun as well as the surplus of couple Instagram photos present throughout my newsfeed. They say it's difficult being single during the fall and winter seasons, and I can see where this notion stems from. As soon as I open my social media accounts, I see endless photos of couples carving pumpkins together, visiting pumpkin patches, and dressed in matching Halloween costumes. It is difficult to scroll through and not wonder when that will be me. It is so easy to get caught up in the idea of wanting a boyfriend especially as we grow older. As a young hopeless romantic, I remember picturing my perfect wedding and the small details. I had envisioned myself married at 25, and the clock is ticking away. As the days go by it seems my idea of meeting the perfect guy and falling in love seems to dwindle. However, I stop and realize my plan is not HIS plan.
It is easy to give Him some aspects of your life, but it is harder to completely trust Him in certain parts. It is almost as if we are playing a game, "Dear Lord, I will let you control the weather and the seasons, but not my love life." This game we think we are good at playing says we know what is best in our life, but it is the complete opposite. In Proverbs 16:21 it is written, "Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the LORD that endures". They often joke that God laughs when we make plans. This is probably true because the decision of the LORD ENDURES. The Lord's decisions ENDURE!
It can be difficult to wrap our minds around sometimes because we grew up in a culture that says "I want this. I want that. I want it now." The Lord does not work like that. He says, "Okay Amanda, I understand you look around and want a boyfriend. I understand you have these ideas of marrying young, but I have a better plan for you. I am preparing you for what is to come." 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "But as it is written: 'What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him'." It is written in the bible that He has great things planned for us which are far better than anything we have seen, heard, or entered our heart.
He has a plan far greater than the one I hold in my heart. So for now, I will patiently wait for his plan to unfold in my love life. Romans 8:25 states, "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance."
If you are like me, it is easy to get discouraged waiting for God's perfect plan in your love life, but I invite you to do two things.
1. Recite a prayer written by Emily Wilson.
"God I have these desires to be loved, to be paid attention, to be recognized as beautiful. You have placed these desires for relationship within me- I ask that you help me place my desires to love you first in my life. When I get discouraged because it seems like everyone else is happy- help me be encouraged that you love me with more fierce love than any man on earth could provide for me. I know you are always uprising me, Lord, and I accept your pursuit. you are my all in all, may my desire for a relationship with a maneuver trump my desire for a relationship with you. Amen."
2. Write a letter to your future husband and pray for him.
I recently started doing this, and I am quickly reminded that the wait will be worth it because God has a perfect plan in store for me, and you as well.
It is so easy to be engulfed by the world around us and the many desires we have placed in our lives, but let's remember God has a plan for us. His plan will prevail.
