Some of my beautiful single friends and I posing with our beautiful friend Shanda at her wedding.
I have been blogging about singleness for the past couple years, so I this would be a good place to start.
Singleness is one thing I have really had to come to terms with in this journey to France. Weddings tend to be idolized in American culture, and people often assume that marriage is a logical next step after graduating college.
I didn't start dating until after college, and although I have had prospects and even been proposed to (over the phone...how many people can claim this?), I soon realized that, unlike previous life milestones, finding a mate was not something that I could achieve on my own.
Surrendering my singleness has been a slow process. The last four years have been filled with five engaged roommates, and the weddings of many dear friends. I have worn three bridesmaid dresses and caught two bouquets. I have laughed, cried, rejoiced and stayed up to all hours of the night talking to my single and not-so-single friends.
Singleness is a blessing not a curse. In my post-college single years, I've gotten to travel the world, seeing (and often serving) in nine countries and 43 states. I've had six incredible roommates. I had the privilege of co-founding a 20-somethings ministry at my church and founding a ministry that gives music lessons to refugees (T.I.E.). I have also served with children's, college and worship ministries, worked as a writer at my alma mater Concordia College and taught piano lessons. This journey, although not what I would have planned, has been far more amazing than I ever could have imagined.
And now I am going to France. While I am not going because I am single (I could go if I was married or had a family), I know that there is beauty in being available to do and to go wherever God has called me to.
Singleness is one thing I have really had to come to terms with in this journey to France. Weddings tend to be idolized in American culture, and people often assume that marriage is a logical next step after graduating college.
I didn't start dating until after college, and although I have had prospects and even been proposed to (over the phone...how many people can claim this?), I soon realized that, unlike previous life milestones, finding a mate was not something that I could achieve on my own.
Surrendering my singleness has been a slow process. The last four years have been filled with five engaged roommates, and the weddings of many dear friends. I have worn three bridesmaid dresses and caught two bouquets. I have laughed, cried, rejoiced and stayed up to all hours of the night talking to my single and not-so-single friends.
Singleness is a blessing not a curse. In my post-college single years, I've gotten to travel the world, seeing (and often serving) in nine countries and 43 states. I've had six incredible roommates. I had the privilege of co-founding a 20-somethings ministry at my church and founding a ministry that gives music lessons to refugees (T.I.E.). I have also served with children's, college and worship ministries, worked as a writer at my alma mater Concordia College and taught piano lessons. This journey, although not what I would have planned, has been far more amazing than I ever could have imagined.
And now I am going to France. While I am not going because I am single (I could go if I was married or had a family), I know that there is beauty in being available to do and to go wherever God has called me to.
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