A Valentine’s Day Prayer for Singles

Heavenly Father,HappyValentinesDay-FINAL

In my heart I know today is just another day.  24 hours.  1440 minutes.  86,400 seconds.  Same as yesterday.  Same as tomorrow.

But in another sense it’s different from any other day.  Very different.  And I confess to you that sometimes throughout today I’ll let it get to me.  Let it get me down.  And even let the enemy get a foothold if I’m not careful.

I love to see the joy in the faces of the other ladies in my office as they smell the flowers and consume the cards with an unrestrained smile greeted by a cherished tear.  There’s nothing more special than that.  Knowing that someone didn’t just remember you.  But they remembered you enough to go out of their way to make a public display.  A spectacle of their love for you.  Now that’s special.

Continue reading

Embracing the Rain (Making the Most of Being Single)

RunningintheRain3 (2)

I enjoy running.  When it’s sunny and hot.  Not warm, but hot.  95 degrees not 65.  But recently in North Carolina, it seems as if we’ve inherited Florida’s weather flow.  With humidity prevailing and storms emerging almost every evening.  Which doesn’t bode well for someone who likes to run of the late afternoon, when it’s still sunny and hot.  Exceedingly hot.

And so what that means for me is that when I’ve been out running recently.  I’ve suddenly been caught in the middle of a rainstorm.  Or two.  Not according to plan.  But that’s what happens when the weatherman can no longer predict raindrops any better than you can.  You get caught.  In the middle of unexpected storms.

Interestingly enough, unplanned downpours have taught me something.  I’ve discovered that it’s really not that bad running in the rain.  As long as it’s not thundering.  Or lightning.  That running in the rain can actually be refreshing.  Not that I prefer it.  But given the alternative of not running at all (or even worse, having to settle for a treadmill!).  It’s really not that bad.  In fact, it can surprisingly be quite nice.  If you can get past the stares of those who drive by in dryness.   Windshield wipers on.  Avoiding the rain.  That I’m enjoying.  But looking at me.  As if I’m running from something.  Or as if I’ve lost something.  Like my mind maybe.

Working with single adults over the past few years.  I’ve found that when you’re single, it can feel a lot like being caught in the rain.  Unanticipated.  Misunderstood.  Not the norm.

Not all singles have a problem being single.  But some, perhaps many, do.  They’d rather not be caught out in the rain.  Alone.  At all. They’d much rather be behind the windshield.  And the wipers.  With someone in the passenger seat.  Sitting next to them.  Together.  Safety in numbers.  No strange stares.
Continue reading

Starved for Love

LoveStarved3

Sunday, June 23, 2013 – “Starved for Love” (Dr. Stanley, “In Touch” Broadcast)

NOTE: The following is a partial transcription of the “Starved for Love” message delivered by Charles Stanley as part of the “In Touch” telecast on June 23.  You can watch/listen to the message at the following link, which was active at the time of posting: http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/this-week-on-tv

What statements by Dr. Stanley stand out the most to you?  Feel free to comment.

SUMMARY:  “Have you tried to fulfill that empty place in your life with things, but continue to be unsatisfied? Perhaps you feel starved for love. It’s not the will of God for His children to feel empty, alone and without love. He has made provision for you to be fulfilled and live with joy.”

TRANSCRIPTION:  Sometimes we try to fulfill the empty place in our lives caused by lack of love by accumulating things or through repeated relationships that didn’t work out. Continue reading