singleness: freedom to serve.

I've been surrounded by weddingness lately.

I mentioned it briefly in previous posts, but my oldest sister got married last weekend.  It was lovely...the service, the dress, the dance party...all was well.  It was just a cool and unique weekend with my family.

My friends and I were recently watching their wedding video from last year.  The pastor's message was about finding freedom in marriage.  It is freedom from having to pursue or be pursued by anyone but your spouse.  Thinking on the complexity of relationships in the life of a single 20something, I long for that type of freedom.  Yes, sir.  That sounds awesome.  Even so, the past couple of weeks have given me eyes wide open for something absolutely amazing.

It started with a conversation I had with my lovely friend, Traci, a few months ago.  She is a wonderful woman of faith in ministry who also happens to be single.  I really look up to her.  When I was struggling to find something beside work to fill my life, I asked her what she did in her free time.  Her response: serve.  She serves the community, friends, and her church in many different ways.  She introduced me to a wonderful opportunity that she has right now in this season of singleness.  Recently, I got to experience this.

I've thanked God deeply for my singleness these past two weeks.  Weird, right?  I say this for the following reason:  I have been so blessed by the freedom to serve.

With so many people around me transitioning, there are some changes for me, but mostly, I am staying still.  I am staying still with the ability to support those around me in a freedom that few in my life currently have.  That is awesome.  I mean that sincerely.  I was able to run around and do wedding things and serve my sister and parents.  I was able to support friends who are moving, mourning, celebrating upcoming weddings, and facing challenges.  I praise God that I could do that.  It's been such a blessing.

Sure, I'd be lying if I said there weren't times throughout wedding things that I thought longingly about what freedom in marriage would be like.  Normal thoughts.  Even so, I was so blessed to be a part of all of these milestone events for people that I love, that it was nowhere near the forefront of my thoughts.  Seeing how God has freed me up to love those around me through action has given me such gratitude for this single meantime of my life.

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

Thanks, Lord, for that freedom to serve.  Thanks for how You've served us.  Thank You for giving me eyes of how You are using this meantime in my life.