
I have exhausted the topic of singleness. I am sure of it. But I learned something so sweet this week that I just have to share it! My mom is teaching a marriage class for women through the summer and I was invited to sit in on a topic that I can relate with right now. She asked me to come in 15 minutes late though, so the ladies could review a more intimate topic from the week before. After a "No problem, Mom," a thought flickered through my mind...The same sort of "I'm not married. I can't relate.I don't get to be a part of the review because I haven't experienced what they have." But God blessed that all too familiar hurting place with a revelation: "Bree, it's not a rejection. It is for your PROTECTION!" I didn't need to sit in. I didn't need to fuel a flame by which I cannot be engulfed.
With conviction I can finally say that He has tarried in my desire for a husband out of His incredible love, and not because He desires to reject me. The consequence of my impatience, and whining, and dragging my heels is an incredible amount of pain and brokenness, to which I say "God, you aren't going to grant me marriage right now, are you?" This time I am thankful. I see clearer than ever that good intentions do not consume the reality of me: that I am immature right now and not prepared to make such an incredibly heavy decision. He sees the me that is at war inside this skin and He's a gracious Father to step in and protect me from myself :)
These verses are exciting to me beyond what I can express. ISAIAH 43:18-19 The Lord was speaking through His prophet Isaiah to the Israelites: "FORGET THE FORMER THINGS; DO NOT DWELL ON THE PAST. SEE, I AM DOING A NEW THING! NOW IT SPRINGS UP; DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT? I AM MAKING A WAY IN THE DESERT AND STREAMS IN THE WASTELAND." Sometimes I just don't believe I will be different. I muttle through the same crap in my heart over and over and over, but He is doing a NEW THING!!! He has promised a refinement, a sanctification and though it seems subtle I HAVE to believe that that process is happening to me now...That I will reap the fruit of my laboring with God over this super STUBBORN and impatient, childish heart. Praise God for His gentleness!
Work tonight was great! We were so far ahead in our closing tasks that we could turn up the tunes and enjoy eachother. The menial dishes at home were sweet for me today as well. I got to cook up a quaint lunch :) Tried to get back to eating healthy, but for lack of sugar I took TWO naps! haha I'm enjoying the chance at happiness again,even if it is in small stuff. Perhaps it's where happiness has always been...and will be :)