Thoughts || 5 Areas Being Single Benefits

   Being married is a wonderful blessing! But guess what - being single is a wonderful blessing too! In our times of discontent, self-pity or reckless living-for-self, we single people need to take time to regroup and see just how the Lord has gifted us with singleness. If we desire marriage, this reflection may not take away our longing, but that isn't our goal. Our goal is to live a joyful life that brings glory to God!

Decision Making
While many of us have a responsibility to people such as parents, siblings, roommates or business partners, none of these relationships make us "one" with another person like marriage. When it comes to making a big decision like buying a car, joining a ministry, or getting a new job, we have the freedom to make our own choices. Under the umbrella of honoring the Lord and getting wise counsel from others, we are able to do what seems best to ourselves.

Time Alone With God
A married woman has dinner, laundry, dishes and quality time with her husband and/or children to concern her, so her quiet times are likely to be interrupted and not terribly long. As single women, we have the brilliant opportunity of choosing to spend our free moments in Bible study and prayer. We all have obligations, but likely have a bit more leeway with time management than our married friends. Our moments can be wisely spent learning about the Lord, rather than being wasted on pointless activities.

Other Relationships
While you and I don't currently have an amazing man to get to know for the rest of our lives, chances are that we do have family and friends! We have the opportunity to get to know our parents on a more even ground than we did as children (though we still honor them). If we have siblings, we can strengthen our relationships with them. Godly friendships can be pursued without fear of neglecting our man.

Ministry
Sometimes ministry is teaching Sunday School or going on a foreign missions trip. At other times, it is having coffee with a friend or co-worker who needs a listening ear or buying and delivering supplies for a non-profit. While a married woman honors her husband by deferring to him in how and when to serve, an unmarried woman can more freely decide how to give of her time and money.

Enjoyment
There are so many things in life to take pure pleasure in. We can travel, play instruments, sew, paint, play with our pets, host sleepovers, read, journal and take part in many more pastimes and hobbies. Once again, a single girl who is not caring for a family has the ability to manage her time to fit in more of the simple enjoyments in life than she could otherwise.

  Now, none of this is to say that married women cannot enjoy hobbies, friendships, or ministries. I am also not suggesting that single women are under no obligations. What I am trying to get across is that on the whole, we unmarried women have an amazing opportunity to use our free time and independence. You and I can wholeheartedly serve the Lord, and live a vibrant life full of variety in our daily activities and social interactions. May we make the most of this gift until the next gift comes!

  "...The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, 

how she may please her husband."

 I Corinthians 7:34