Why I’m Happy to be Single this Valentine’s Day

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.  Valentine’s Day is a holiday that stirs up alot of emotions for people, particularly single people.  Let’s be honest.  It can be a little depressing to watch everyone else getting flowers and big helium balloons, while your rocking your sweatpants on the couch, watching the Notebook accompanied by Ben and Jerry.  I get it and I have been among the masses that get’s a little pouty on Valentine’s Day.  I mean, I like getting chocolate too.  Seriously.

But this year, my take on Valentine’s Day is a little different and for possibly the first time, I can say that I am quite happy to be single this time around.  Here’s why:

1.  I like spending time with me.

Does that sound silly? Well, it’s true.  I do!  This past year, in particular, I have learned so much about myself and have learned to love myself on a whole different level.  I am learning what my strengths are and what my limitations are.  I am learning how to grow, even despite my weaknesses.  I am learning more about who I am as a woman, what it is that I am passionate about and what it is that I want out of life.  I feel like there is a time in every person’s life when they go through a season of self-discovery and it’s just really healthy to do that while you are still single.  When the day comes for me to be a part of a couple, that person is going to be getting a girl that already knows who she is.

2.  I’m not incomplete.

I am a whole person.  There are no parts of me that are missing.  When the day comes for me to be in a relationship, that person is not going to complete me.  I have already been completed by Christ.  At some point, in the future, I plan on writing more on this subject.  But ladies (and gents who are reading), stop thinking that a husband (or wife) is what’s going to make you happy.  If you aren’t happy now, you won’t be happy then either.  Figure out what you think your missing and work that out with God now.  Are you waiting on someone to make you feel beautiful and worthwhile?    God already says you are.  If you put that kind of pressure on your spouse, you’ll always be dissatisfied and you’ll leave that person feeling like they can never please you.  YOU ARE ALREADY COMPLETE.

3.  I need to make the most of it.

I realize now that this is a unique season for me and for you too!  One day in the future I am going to have a boo thang and as wonderful as he may be, he is going to suck up alot of my time.  That just happens.  One day I’ll be married and eventually I’ll have children.  But I have some living to do before all that!  Right now, I’m enjoying the many rich and awesome friendships that I have been blessed with.  I’m enjoying living on my own.  Scratch that.  I’m enjoying living with 5 other amazing women of God in community.  I’m enjoying the time I’m spending with the young people I serve, under some of the most amazing leaders I have ever known.  Some day the married life will be good.  I know that.  But I also know that right now life is good too.

4.  There’s no need to rush.

Seriously!!! Why do we all feel so much pressure to attach ourselves to someone else’s hip?  We act like if we don’t find the right person right this second that the whole thing is going to go down the tubes.  We are under so much pressure.  Society treats us like there is something wrong with being single.  We go to a wedding and are bombarded by questions: “Have you found that special someone yet?” “When is it going to be your turn?”  Relax and eat your cake Aunt Betty.  Relax.  Let’s just slow down, take a breath and enjoy our lives.  When it happens, it happens.  No sense in rushing something you hope will last forever.

So that’s my perspective this Valentine’s Day.  Maybe we can all give Nicholas Sparks’ movies a rest this year and go out and do something we enjoy.  In short, live your life like it’s golden.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:12-13