The wonderful Velvet Ashes blog I follow is doing a series on singleness. I recently read some excellent articles on the Gospel Coalition website about singleness. And here I am, in the middle of Mexico, a single woman, wanting to build into the conversation. I'm no polished blogger and I won't pretend to be, but here goes.
Right now, I feel there there must be something contagious going around: My facebook feed is full of people getting married, pregnant, and having children. I can name you at least ten people I know off the top of my head who are either expecting or gave birth in the past 2 weeks. No joke. Is the water I'm drinking too filtered? Is the air so contaminated here in Mexico City that love can't make it through? Ok, I'll confess I'm not actually looking for love here. I know I'm not in any condition to start a relationship right now. And I know true love isn't caught like a disease. But, I am writing from an accumulated experience of six years on the field as a single missionary, and this is not the first time my facebook feed has been full of engagement announcements, wedding pictures, creative birth announcements, sonograms, gender reveals, baby bumps, and baby pictures. After graduating from college over 7 years ago, I am still single. And that's ok.
A number of these articles I recently read have talked about how being single is different from being married and the multiple unique struggles and opportunities we as singles have. I highly recommend heading over to these blogs and reading a few articles, especially this one about the Purpose of Singleness and this one by my college friend about singleness neither being harder nor easier than married life on the mission field. The first one was an absolute game changer for me. I would like to add some of my own thoughts to Krista's article: how I feel singleness is a challenge for me.
I see that couple holding hands walking down the street. I see that mother with her baby on the metro. All around me, there are couples, families, and children: my dreams. It's easy to feel like they are being rubbed in my face. Sure, there are a lot of people without a significant other or a little one in tow, but of course it's those who do who grab my attention. And my heart cries, I want that! Yeah, I hear ya, girl. I do. I am happy these people have their significant others and children. I'm not angry that I don't have it. But there's just that longing there, hoping that maybe someday... If not, it's ok, due to the reasons cited in the other article I mentioned. The whole idea of fasting as a single really hit me.
One of the benefits of marriage I long for is the ability to dream, process life, and make big decisions with my husband. If you've been reading my blog at all this year, you probably know it has been one of the most difficult, tumultous years of my life. I know I haven't been alone in this time, yet I haven't had that someone to snuggle with at night, whose life is deeply intertwined with mine, who has concerns that must be factored into the decision. Maybe some married people would think it is simpler to be in my shoes. I think it's just another example of singleness and marriage just being different.
It is hard living in a huge city and not having someone with whom to explore it. I have had the privilege of traveling a bit of the world with my mom and so far, she is the best travel companion ever. Exploring a city, enjoying beauty, discovering new places: I'd much rather do so with a buddy. It's more fun, and it is a great way to make memories and bond together. But, she's not here. Again, maybe some wife or mom with littles (or just some introvert, regardless of her marital status) disagrees, and that's ok. I'm just speaking for me, and maybe some other single extroverts out there.
Singleness is a challenge. It can be painful. It can be fun. I'm sure the same can be said about marriage. Let's keep the conversation going and keep learning from each other.
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