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And by "adventures," I'm not exactly talking about rock climbing or sky-diving. I'm not planning a vacation to an exotic location any time soon, and I don't see any drag racing in my near future, either. Not everyone can manage those kinds of adventures-single or married! Not all adventures have to be death-defying, expensive, or time-consuming. They don't even have to always take you out of the house. They can be small, every day moments of new experiences, joy, growth, pleasure, and maybe sometimes even sorrow. Lately, I've discovered my life is full of such moments, whether they be in reading a new book, starting my summer vacation, hearing a song by my favorite group, or writing a blog! And I'm loving every minute of it! For years, I felt that I was in a "waiting period." I couldn't really start experiencing all that life and God had to offer-- the way so many of my friends and family seemed to be experiencing-- until I was married, or at least in a serious relationship. I couldn't embrace new changes, soar to new heights, or accept new challenges, all for fear I would mess things up for any future relationships. Thus, I was stuck in a rut, unable to truly experience everything within my reach, because I was waiting for...someone to have those experiences with. It finally hit me. (Sometimes it takes a while for me to get something.) What was I waiting for? God never intended that I find a mate for me to start truly living and enjoying the blessings and adventures He has for me. My new life, rich with purpose and fulfillment, started the day I accepted the Lord Jesus into my life. So why was I limiting myself to finding happiness with a partner? I had already found the greatest Partner I could ever hope to find. When I realized that liberating truth, I was able to truly see the challenges, opportunities, and experiences in my life as the adventures they really were. I experienced more joy in these moments-- big and small-- than I ever had before. And I can look back with satisfaction and contentment, knowing that I have not been wasting my time for my adventures to really begin. Since then, I have been able to experience many kids of adventures that filled me with a sense of joy, contentment, and fulfillment. Recently, my sister and I both started a new adventure by opening up a boutique. Believe me, it was not easy and we've had our hitches. We could almost hear the scoffers and doubters. (Why would they do something like that? I just don't see it lasting. And so forth.) But we didn't care. Why NOT do it now? And who knows, maybe it won't last. But at least we won't look back in years to come and wonder what would've happened. But in the meantime, we're having a blast playing with clothes and meeting people. And I'm not stopping there. I recently discovered a new hobby: backyard farming! I've really developed a taste for growing things. I don't have a lot of space where I'm living, so I'm learning how to make the best of what I've got and improvise. I love to make lists, so I've got my 5 year plan laid out. It may not seem like much to some people, but I'm enjoying myself. Some may read this and think to themselves, "Adventures? Seriously?" And that's okay. My definition of adventure may be different from yours. But I encourage everyone reading this post to go out and look for your own adventure, whether it be getting a new pet, visiting a new restaurant, getting reacquainted with an old friend, or witnessing to someone of the Lord's goodness. There's nothing more exciting than waking up each day and wondering what's in store for the future! God's richest blessings on your future adventures! "It's not how many years we live, but how we live them." -Evangeline Booth
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It hit me one day...I was single! Okay, actually I already knew that. In fact, I had been long troubled by that very fact. Here I was, in my thirties, still with no serious relationship to boast of. I had stood back and watched my friends all marry and start families of their own. Then my younger brother and sister's friends all began to marry and have families. Then, worst of all, the kids I babysat for began to marry and have babies! I lost count of the weddings and bridal/baby showers I attended. Usually, I went home depressed and ready to cry for the rest of the day. I know, it sounds pitiful, but that was my life for about ten years. I was constantly on the lookout for that ONE. Every time a new guy would show up at my church or job, my hopes would spring news, only to quickly shrivel up and die as I watched him pair off with someone else. It seemed I was never good enough to catch a decent guy's attention. It began to wreak havoc on my self-image. I figured there must be something wrong with me. I wasn't pretty enough, smart enough, witty enough, or outgoing enough. Or maybe God didn't deem me ready. Thus I tried to be a good little Christian, always going to church, reading my Bible, and living the way I thought He wanted me to live. Nothing happened. I was still single and watching my "youthful" years slowly pass me by. I felt as if I was constantly on the sidelines, watching everyone else living their lives, and I was still waiting. I began to grow bitter about it, and resentful of everyone God had seen fit to bless with that special someone in their life. It was even worse when I witnessed children being born into families that cared little for them. Here I was, desperate to have a child to call my own, while so many babies were being discarded or abused. Oh, on the outside, everything appeared fine. I smiled a lot, held friends' babies, attended weddings, and generally appeared as if all was fine in my world. But I felt as I was dying inside. And no one even knew, which I took to mean that no one even cared. (Which was unreasonable, because, like I said, very few knew the depth of my struggle.) I grew angry and depressed. For whatever reason, God and the world was against me. I was not meant to share in the blessings of thousands of others. I was to live out my life alone. It wasn't fair and I inwardly kicked and raged at it at times. Needless to say, my spiritual growth suffered as a result. While I never walked away from God, and I had times of revival and refreshing that kept me going, I always felt as if something was missing. I was never truly content. Then, about a year and half ago, I started to do some soul-searching. I took a step back and reevaluated my life. I realized that marriage and children would not ultimately fill that hole in my life. I had witnessed too many people who seemingly had it all, throw everything away because of depression, addiction, or some other prison. Mothers and fathers were committing suicide. Men and women who married their childhood sweetheart were divorcing. Parents were losing their children because of bad choices. So what was happening? These people had what I wanted: a companion, children, a home to share, a future to look forward to. Then it finally began to dawn on me. Those things, as priceless as they can be, mean nothing when a person is missing the most important relationship they could ever have. It took some time, but I began to reshape my thinking. Even if God suddenly opened the door for me to become a wife and mother, ultimately, it would not make me happy. Oh, it would bring me a sense of joy for a while, but in the end, it's not what my spirit yearns for. It's not what's going to fill me with peace and contentment. Only Jesus can do that for me. It was not easy reaching that conclusion. I'm an emotional human being that deals with what I feel in the here and now. But it was a step in the right direction, and I felt that God was better able to work in me and start teaching me some new things about myself and Him. It's been a rewarding journey so far. Does that knowledge take away the desire to be married and have children some day? No. But I can finally enjoy the place where I'm at. I felt as if God had finally released me to appreciate my life as it is. I don't have the same responsibilities, obligations, past regrets, etc. that many people my age have. I can be free to live out this phase of my life as I please. I knew I had turned a corner one day when I was sitting in my truck in the Wal-Mart parking lot. (I think I was waiting on my mom.) I watched a young woman park her car, get out, and begin the process of unbuckling her baby from the car seat, gather her bag, and carry them all the long distance to the building. I found myself thinking how simple it is for me to jump in my truck and take off somewhere. No car seat. No extra diaper bag. I actually caught myself thinking that I was glad I did not have to worry about all that stuff yet. And that's when it hit me. I was single! This was my time. Someday in the future, I may have those extra responsibilities and blessings. But for now, it's just me and God. He has shown me that it is okay to be single; it can even be a good thing. So, I plan to take advantage of this time now, rather than wasting any of it by wishing it to change. So, if I could pass anything on to you, it would be take advantage of this season of your life. Don't look at this as a punishment, but an opportunity to serve God in a special way. Look for new things to try and learn. Have fun! Grow! And find peace in knowing that even as singles, we are never truly alone but are always... In His Grip! Crystal "The most interesting and important thing in the world is for you to work out your own particular life...Hold your place. Do not try to shift into the place that another occupies. Keep your eye on what you have to work with, not on what somebody else has." -Ida Tarbell
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