The Holidays are both a very merry time of year, as it should be, but also a very depressing and sad time for many. There are many people who are blessed to spend time with their family and friends, while others feel completely left out. This is especially true for single men and women.
Those who are like me, find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of confusion and emotion. We are very thankful for what we have and we show as much appreciation for all of the things we have been blessed with. Yet for some reason, those blessings don’t seem to make up for the one thing we want most. Someone to love and love us back. This is something every human goes through. Some of us persevere, while others struggle through it. This is particularly true during the holiday season.
The one thing I always encourage my friends and those younger than myself is to wait for the right person. As emotional beings, we tend to jump the gun pretty quickly, especially in a culture where instant gratification is an expectation. Let’s face it, just about anything you want as far as entertainment and information goes is right at your fingertips. So why can’t love be that way? Why can’t I have that instantly? It sounds like a silly question, because it’s obvious to us all, but I think we still expect that deep down inside of our hearts. Love between a man and a woman is the one thing that no individual can control. You can’t force someone to love you, thankfully. But it’s what we almost wish would happen, at least for those of us whose heart yearns for it.
It’s no secret among my own family and friends that I want a family of my own. I have wanted that for a very long time. That has been a desire of my heart since I was 17 years of age. As I have taken the time this Christmas season to reflect on my own life, I have thought long and hard about the pros and cons of where I am in life, particularly in the area of a relationship. There’s absolutely no way I can really advise anyone on how to have a successful marriage, other than to encourage that God is a part of that union. I have never been married and therefore I have no credibility in that area.
However, I do have credibility in waiting for the right woman. The same applies for women waiting for a man God has prepared for them. I have never in my life slept around and I will keep to that standard until I meet her. This is the way it should be for every man and woman. I will be 30 years of age in June of 2019 and I still hold to the standard that I have stood on ever since I made the decision to commit to it.
I recently came across an article about Tim Tebow, the upstanding Christian man who is known for his faith on the football field. He just made his relationship status public, which apparently had been secret for quite some time. I don’t blame him one bit at all for keeping it quiet. But I have always been curious, knowing that Tebow is a God-fearing man, how he was doing when it comes to women. I just knew there was no way a man who is nice looking, ambitious, kind, and caring, could be single. Well, he was for a while but is now public with his relationship with a very beautiful and Christ-filled woman. I congratulate Tim in his relationship! I find that to be a testimony and a blessing to me as well. Waiting works and it always has.
My desire is strong for a family and marriage, but I also understand the importance of waiting. I know what it takes to wait and I very much believe my patience will be rewarded. The wait is still not easy, especially when your friends who are your age and younger seem to be finding love and building a life, all while yet another Christmas, another Thanksgiving, and another Valentine’s Day have gone by and you are still feeling lonely.
My father preached a sermon once. He said that we feel lonely at times, but we are never alone, as God is with us and by our side. I know that not only for me but my peers whose hearts desire the same life of marriage and children, that we are not alone. God sees the heart and understands our thoughts and desires better than anyone, including ourselves. There will be days, not long after I write this, where I’ll have to look back at these words I have typed and pull encouragement from my own thoughts.
For those out there who are young and looking for their future spouse, you are not alone. Don’t sell yourself out and give up on the values that make you a better person and strong. Your future spouse is entirely worth the wait and so are you.