Single and Searching for Him

The last couple of weeks, I have been in the midst of some very strong storms.  Hurricane force winds, rain pelting down from all directions, beaten, battered, crushed, pushed down.  I'm not talking about physical storms (although as I write this, thunder is rolling outside).  I'm talking about the storms of life.  Those things that you look back on and marvel at how God got you through it.  How he protected you, sheltered you, supported you.  However, going through it, being beaten from every direction, it is hard to see that next step.  It's hard to think about how one day, you will be able to praise God for all He has done for you.  But we are not commanded to wait to praise Him.  We are told to praise Him in ALL things.  Don't get me wrong... this is not easy.  All I want to do right this very moment, is curl up in my bed, with the covers over my head, and have another good cry.  Believe me when I tell you, I have had some fantastic cries the last two weeks.  I even

Lately, I have been thinking about being single.  All of my friends are married and while I never feel excluded, there are times when I see the pictures of the two of them and my heart hurts a little.  I wonder what it is about me that God has chosen me to be single.  Paul talks about it in 1 Corinthians as if it is a noble achievement.  And yes, there are moments, days, weeks that I feel blessed to be single.  I can serve where I am needed and how often I am needed, I can be there for a friend in need, I can help a couple reconnect by watching their children while they go out for a night, I can help someone in a moment's notice.  So, yes, there are many benefits of being single.  But lately, its been a struggle.  It's hard to go to church and see the families and hear sermons about marriage and how to build a stronger relationship with one another.  It's hard to hang with some of my best friends and watch them enjoy the company of their spouses. It's hard to hear "