The Honey Bee Press October - December 2013 | Page 7

Page 7 Honey Bee Press Encouraging the Singles Confessions: Single and Saved— by Karynthia Story Girl, when are you getting married? You still single? Hey, baby, if you ain't married, you bout to be!! When will I have some grandbabies? These are statements that I endure on a regular basis. been. I suffer when sex, yes I said it, is all I can think about but must attempt to remain celibate. I have to suffer to get to the glory. My confession is that I've been single for years…on top of years, on top of years. Never had someone to introduce to the parents. Never held hands with a man while walking in a park. You know, a real "boo". Well, I'm sure you may be wondering what is wrong with me. ?Well let’s see… I'm saved, love The Lord, can throw DOWN in the kitchen, can clean, love kids, I think I'm kind of cute , I've always had a steady job, I'm in music ministry and (drum roll please) I don't have kids!!! So I'm sure you're now sitting on the edge of your seat wondering, “Why IS this woman still single?” ?The simple answer – I feel that the men that approach me aren't worth my time. Do I sound stuck up? I'm not. I just value my time. Since my dating history is nonexistent, any man I allow myself to date has to be something special – out of the ordinary even, not someone who staggers out of an alley and inquires about my marital status (true story). ? I feel as If I have a lot to give and I'm not giving it to just anybody. It has been hard to accept that God’s plan for me will include suffering. "Who wants to suffer," you ask. Paul said in Romans 8:18, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Suffering will happen, but we have to make it through the suffering to get to the glory. Everyone just wants to skip to the glory! There's a purpose for tribulation: Romans 5:3 says, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;" Suffering God’s way definitely helped to increase my patience. Some ask me, "Do you put yourself out there?" I am open and available but I chase no man. "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. " (Proverbs 18:22) I NEED for him to find me because I want him to have God’s favor. Next confession: I suffer a lot. ?I suffer when I’m lonely, when I crave affection, when I cry, when I see Facebook pictures of happy couples or wedding pictures. It hurts to see people with kids who neglect them, knowing that I would treasure that child. It hurts to desire a mate on a daily basis, to know that I have so much to offer and so much love and support to give. I just have to hold on to it. I suffer when I think about what could have Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Confession: I know that the enemy wants to distract me while I’m single. "But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction." (1 Corinthians 7:32, 35 ). When you're single you should have plenty of time for the things of God. Your prayer life should be A-1, you serve at the church, study your bible, visit the sick and the shut-in, go to choir rehearsals... the list goes on and on. ? Behind the scenes, Satan is planning a distraction for you. ?One day you're getting out of your car a ??????????????????????!?)?????$?????????e??????????? ???$????????)??????Q????????????????????????$????????????????????eIL????????e????????)???????????????????!???M