Those of you that know me, or have at least checked out my blog a few times know that I very deeply desire marriage and children (lots of babies). I make no apology for this, because this desire is not ungodly. No, it is a very appropriate and beautiful thing. In a time when families are crumbling and children are subject to so much abuse and neglect; the actual longing to be a godly wife and nurturing mother is a wonderful thing. That said, I must also face the fact that God may not intend for me to ever marry or bear children. Granted, I'm fairly young (though not as young as I'd like for the childbearing part), so there's time for all that great and wonderful stuff later, but God is by no means obligated to give me a hubby and babies just because I want them (fiercely).

This may sound strange, but I actually get excited when I meet older single Christian women. My heart beats a touch faster, and I can't wait to engage in a good conversation with them. The reason for this intense reaction is simple...kind of primitive, actually. It does my heart well to know that you can survive singleness as a Christian woman. Perhaps you feel I'm making a mountain out of a molehill here, but it deeply encourages me to see the way God has worked in these women's lives. To listen to them tell stories of their Beloved's faithfulness and loving kindness to them throughout their lives. To hear how they deal/dealt with being told "No" to something they wanted so much. I'm not saying being single is so terrible, and gosh-darn awful that death is a far better alternative. NAY! I'm just saying it (life) can be hard...no matter how good your friends are, there's still something completely different about actually becoming one with somebody and going through life together.

Thankfully, I've met very few bitter, old, Christian, single women. When I do, I usually begin immediately praying internally. Praying that this women would release the bitterness eating away at her. Praying that she and I would both know in our souls that God is enough, period. Finally, I pray that the day never dawns where I'm that bitter. Depending on what they're saying, it sounds like one man after another has somehow failed them, and they kind of think God...the true Beloved...has failed them as well. Men have not come through from them, and the Creator of the men has not come through for them. Their words and their actions tell me "God is not enough." Bitterness is a very vile emotion, it's infectious and toxic. It is not to be named among the characteristics of a godly woman.

"(30)And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" Eph. 4: 30-32.

" (14) Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (15) See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled" Hebrews 12: 14-15