Discover-Five Minute Friday

I began thinking of this late last night and what I have discovered in over four decades on the planet. There have been so many tokens and lessons through the years, but this morning I felt more inclined to write about my singleness.

discover

Discover is defined as finding something or someone unexpectedly in the course of a search.

In my search of "Mr. Right" through the years I have found myself single for a really long time.

I discovered that I have developed deeper friendships with some for over twenty years that some marrieds don't even enjoy with their spouses or others.

I discovered some I know would become widows in their thirties or forties and I would be reminded of my relationship with God to be the only one without a good-bye forever.

I discovered in my late twenties I couldn't make a guy like or fall in love with me. When someone doesn't it really is OK! There are other people who do like me and love to have me around.

I discovered years after the ones I hoped would work out and didn't, that it was really God's protection. I would've been miserable as we were so not a good match. Being single is far better than being in a miserable marriage.

STOP

Ran out of time, but wanted to add............

I've discovered from watching and listening to others that both marriage and singleness are hard, just in different ways. God told us we would have trouble in this world. Sometimes when you're married there is even more drama to deal with. I am reminded to ask myself, "What and how much do I want to deal with?".

I also discovered that in not having children of my own to read stories to at night and tuck into bed or bake cookies with and build snowmen on cold, winter days, that I am so thankful for the children in my class every year. We have baked banana bread and pizza. We always read lots of stories together. When snow arrives, we go out to the playground to develop our vocabulary and sequencing skills used in building snowmen.

A few have remarked to me over the years, "You're so lucky you don't have kids." or "You smart lady, you!", but I do not see myself as either of those. I have carried a hole in my heart for decades now which causes me to be more appreciative of the students I so enjoy. Hopefully, they know how much they are valued and loved.

Finally, I've discovered that the moments of loneliness have been tolerable. It's not the end of the world, but I know what it's like to eat alone day after day after day. I reach out more now to people who have experienced the same. I always look forward to sharing meals with some very dear and lovely ladies I know whenever I can.

Perhaps a "Mr. Right" will still come along. Perhaps not. All I know is I get to choose how I will live today. God is the one I come back to day after day.

Matthew 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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