To The Woman Who Isn't Engaged Yet
Start writing a post
Relationships

To The Woman Who Isn't Engaged Yet

Marriage is not a race.

53
To The Woman Who Isn't Engaged Yet
Pexels

So many people have gotten engaged lately. Like, so.many.

It seems that every time I scroll through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, there is a photo of a happy couple and a gorgeous engagement ring awaiting my blissful sighs. It's a precious thing, really. I'm immensely happy for all of the happiness! Even when it is a couple I barely know, engagement photos capturing the joy on their faces get me every time. Soon afterwards, though, I find myself feeling pressured.

It is nobody's fault but my own. My peers do not criticize me for not having a rock on my finger yet, nor am I myself fully ready to be wed. Even so, with all of the engagements, weddings and pregnancy announcements being showcased every day, I find thoughts creeping in:

You're going to be old when you get married.

You will be the last one to get engaged.

You could be a wife by now, but you won't be for a long time.

I recently discussed this feeling with one of my friends who is in a similar situation to me: happily dating, but not able or ready to be married yet.

We laughed at these silly thoughts that we have both had because we know it would be catastrophic if we were to marry our SO's right now. After multiple occurrences of shouting out, "SHE'S engaged??" in a roomful of friends while scrolling on my phone, it's become apparent that many college girls feel the same pressure. Some of us feel left behind without really knowing why.

So why the insecure thoughts?

Why do we feel jealous of the 20 year-old bride even though we know that would be a bad idea for us? Why do engagement announcements make us want to shout, "ANOTHER one?" rather than, "Congratulations!" Why aren't we engaged yet? Why are our timelines different?

Your timeline is different because no couple is the same. You are not engaged because you and your boyfriend have made the choice to wait a while because you believe it be the best thing for you. You are the bridesmaid and not yet the bride because God has things He wants you to finish as a single woman.

Marriage is not a race.

Your marriage or engagement will not be extra blessed because you were the first in your friend group to get married.If God has plans for you to be a parent, He will make a way for it to happen, even if He tells you not to marry till you are older. It does not matter how old you are when you marry if you are waiting for a reason. Why do we feel pressured? It is most likely because marriage is a beautiful union most of us are destined to model; it is only natural that we desire it. But making a life-long commitment is like anything else: just because it is right does mean it must be done right away.

To the woman who is listening to the Lord's caution of "wait on my timing," Scripture commends you.

"For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him." - Ecclesiastes 8:6

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10

"He has made everything in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to the end." - Ecclesiastes 3:11

God will make your relationship beautiful in its time. The only race we are called to partake in the one of following God's direction. If your direction is to wait for a certain time before marrying, you are running the race well.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38834
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23275
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949622
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

127369
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments