Patience is a virtue, but sometimes it really seems like more of a curse. I know your story because it's been mine too. It seems like every time you scroll through Instagram all you see are two smiling faces (no one could possibly be that happy) on dates that were apparently so perfect that they were deemed #blessed worthy. Your friends are talking about weddings and houses and the rest of forever, and to you, that seems just as far away as it did when you were 12. And that's okay.
Before the foundations of the earth, God wrote your story. He knew that the boy that you swore you loved would walk away. He knew that you would be single for exactly 862 days, and he knew that you weren't going to be happy about it. He also knew that in those 862 lonely days that you would turn to Him and become fully reliant and trusting of His plan. But here's the thing. It's only a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). And seasons change.
Just like spring, summer, winter, and fall, seasons normally happen in two parts, the preparatory "It's coming, get ready!" part and then it's here, "Drink your pumpkin spice lattes, and wear your blanket scarves because it really is fall now," part. And part one of this whole season is just being single. However, "single" to me, holds such negative connotations. Like you expect people to shoot you a glance of pity and say, "Oh you'll find someone eventually." "Single" pops up on your Twitter feed in sarcastic tweets and is an open invitation for whomever to slide in your DM's.
"Single" is often frustrated and resentful. I've experienced this preparatory part of the season, and I stayed there for a very long time (which was a mistake, by the way, don't do that). And I do agree with you; it sucks to be single. But do remember I said there were two parts to this season, and we always save the best for last. Cue the PSLs and blanket scarves.
Eventually single just becomes normal, and unbeknownst to you, that's where something magical happens. You stop just being single, and you become a Lady in Waiting. It's right here where God shows up, and you become frustrated enough to try to let go of everything and just "Let God." And it's a game-changer, like it's the bottom of the 9th, down two runs, bases loaded, full count--game-changer.
You see a Lady in Waiting holds so much hope just in the name. It says, "Yeah, I may not have a man right now, but he is coming. I believe that the Lord will fulfill His promises to me."
Lady in Waiting is full of faith and trust and everything that single is not. It's here that you learn about who you really are: your strengths, your weaknesses, and what YOU are made of, not what some guy thinks you are. You begin to value yourself and let God mold you into the Lady of the Lord that He wants you to be. You draw near to the Father and solely focus on what He wants for your life, and not everyone gets that opportunity. It's really not a curse; it's a blessing. And all the while you pray for the man that God has planned. You pray that he's praying for you and that he loves his momma and America too. And God will meet you there.
And then one day he's going to show up. You have to believe that. He is going to be so worth the wait you aren't even going to remember all those times you said, "There isn't anyone for me. No one is interested." And when that day comes and a new season begins, promise me that you will never forget the time you spent as a Lady in Waiting. Do not lose your total dependence on God either. He brought you here, and he can take you elsewhere. I will forever be thankful that God said, "You aren't gonna like this, but wait, I got this." And I know my future husband will too. I wouldn't be me without it.
"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." – Lamentations 3:25
