Single, Serving, Blessed

Hello all!  Kristen here.  My how time has flown!  Right after we finished our women's study, my computer decided he needed a break.  He threw a big fit, then collapsed in exhaustion and refused to do a thing!  Thankfully, after a little visit to the Genius Bar at the mall, he is happy and refreshed, and back up and running!  

I have had a little guest blog for some time now to share.  By way of introduction, our church has been very blessed with a whole lot of young and older single people.  I have to say, these guys and gals are the life blood of much of what goes on at Veritas.  They serve intensely, performing duties that many in a season of parenting a gaggle of children are simply not able to.  I often think I don't know where our church would be (or where I would be personally) without them!  I see many younger girls constantly filling their time with love and service to others.  I know of a handful of girls who, when they are not working, can be found: babysitting children so a busy mom can run errands or go to the doctor, cooking a meal for a family who has moved or had a baby, planning baby or bridal showers or birthday parties for friends in the church, coming early and staying late at their community group to help set up and clean up, going to Costco for a mom so that she doesn't have to lug four little ones in, and countless other acts of love.  One friend of ours wrote about her journey as she has sought to serve God most fully in this season of her life.  She is a great blessing to her church and community! So, thank you Renee for sharing your story. 

For a long while, as the youngest of three older siblings (three older siblings who are married with children), it was easy to sulk in discontentment and long for what I did not have. I wanted to be married. I wanted to share in the joy of motherhood with my sisters and friends. I wanted to serve the Lord with a partner at my side. I wanted to grow a family of my own and establish a home.  I was discontent, dissatisfied, and displeased.  Every time I saw another couple sharing a hug or rejoicing in the birth of a child, my envy would heighten and my sorrows would deepen. Although I oftentimes would shrug it off and say, “God knows best,” it was not a true reflection of my sinful and selfish discontentment.  


"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

By God’s grace and sanctifying work, He began to open my eyes to this consistent sinful attitude about my life and redirect my focus from myself and my singleness to Himself and His goodness.  Wendy Alsup, in her book Practical Theology for Women, wrote these words in reference to Philippians 2, which challenged me in my core: “We are called to willingly give up our rights and welcome the sacrifices that accompany being a servant to others. As our grasp on our perceived rights weakens, our needs fade into the background, and we become little images of Christ – consumed with the needs of others to the forgetfulness of our own.” God has (and still is) convicting me to be prudent with my time and to serve Him faithfully, joyfully, and fervently, right here, right now, just as I am.    

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  
During this season of life, my time is not vested in serving a husband or caring for children. I can attest to many wonderful wives and mothers who do an outstanding job joyfully serving their families by maintaining a household, preparing meals, and caring for little ones, and THAT takes an incredible amount of time! While it is a God-ordained, purposeful role, it is not the role God has for me right now. Instead, the Holy Spirit is revealing to me that the fullness of my joy comes in serving others during this season of singleness and spare time.

I am a single woman and I am a daughter of two parents who need encouraging and prayerful support in their church ministry. I am an auntie to nine sweet children who thrive on the extra attention and love I can shower on them. I am a sister to siblings who need laundry folded, children watched, carpets vacuumed, and prayerful support in their parenting and marriages. I am a friend to dear souls who need a listening ear, encouraging words, and godly fellowship. I am a nurse to parents and children who need medical assistance seasoned with a compassion that only comes from knowing Christ. I am a granddaughter to grandparents who need to know and see Jesus in me. I am a coworker to many who need to see Jesus shine through a joyful attitude in the workplace. I am a missionary to neighbors at home and abroad who are desperate for Truth that fulfills and sustains. I am a member of a Veritas family that needs willing hearts to serve. Most importantly, I am a child of the King Who commands me to be diligent in studying His word and serving others, and Who sees no single moment of my life as lacking purpose.

I praise God for revealing to me that opportunity for ministry abounds in this season of my life! We are all entrusted with great responsibility to serve right where we are and in this season of life to bring glory to His great name! Those of us who are single ought to feel honored and humbled that He would BLESS us with this gift of singleness. What a great time in our lives to seek to diligently serve the Lord with our time!

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:9-10

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Be encouraged and be challenged as I am, to live right here, right now, right in the place the Lord has you, serving Him fully and joyfully.

Guest Post by Renee