There’s been a lot of talk about pairs lately; one of my friends
is getting married. So, I have to sort out my feelings. I went through a time, several years ago, when I
was rather romantic, and enjoyed dreaming about weddings and Mr Right. I read
books on the topic, I looked up articles on the internet, and I thought and
wrote about it. But honestly, that’s passed. I don’t spend much time on it anymore, and I tire of reading and talking about boy-girl relationships.
I have to wonder: do we spend too much focus and attention
on this – talking about boys, or boy-girl relationships, or weddings, or
finding the right one? Of course, everyone’s interests are different, and don’t
get me wrong – I think it is important to have definite standards and opinions regarding
appropriateness between boys and girls, what to look for in a husband, etc. But
it’s easy to let it become our focus. There is
more to life.
You know that verse that talks about an unmarried women
caring for the things of the Lord? It’s 1 Corinthians 7:34: “…The unmarried
women careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and
in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she
may please her husband.” We quote that,
but do we actually do it? Do we, as unmarried women, actually care about the
things of the Lord as much as a married women cares for her husband? Think
about how much time, and thought, a wife gives her husband. My friend is not
even married yet, and she still gives her fiancé many hours of her time in
communication, not to mention thought. Can we say we give God that much time?
Are we constantly thinking about Him, and talking to Him, and spending our time
planning a lifetime together?
There are many different seasons in life. I’m not
discrediting the in-a-relationship, or married season. I think it’s amazing how
two entirely different people can come together and be so perfectly suited to
each other, and go on to spend the rest of their lives together. It’s just not
the stage I’m in at the moment. But that verse has got me thinking: I am in a
stage, I am in a relationship. And when I stop to consider it, it’s even more
amazing, more incredible, and more deserving of my thought and attention. I
should be devoting all my time and energies in caring for the things of the
Lord, that I may be holy both in body and in spirit.
And that’s what I'm thinking about pairs. At least for now – I hate
to be so definite, because absolute statements come back around. Now, I do want to hear: what do you think of pairs?
Pairs are important. They are, and someday in life I hope to have a husband and a family and all that fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteBut right now, when I'm young, just a teen, I don't need to worry about all that. It seems like so many girls my age I know are so worried about impressing people and "who likes who" and all that stuff, and it just makes me want to shove articles like these in their faces. :p
And I really like what you said about focusing on our relationship with God. I am guilty of spending most of my time with the people or my writing or my books around me, and not enough time with the person who placed all that there, so I should really focus on that relationship more, and thanks for the reminder. :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Katie Grace. :) I agree, with the stage of life we're in, it's so shallow to be worrying about it. I know, it gets hard sometimes when others persist in discussing it! But God already has everything all sorted, and when we stop and consider that relationship, it's pretty amazing!
DeleteA marriage relationship is supposed to be a tiny example of what our relationship with God is like. I agree that we should not give more focus to the example than to the real thing. And, if your focus is not on "the real thing" (your relationship with God), then your marriage relationship, if you get married, won't have the strength to be the example it was meant to be. God comes first either way.
ReplyDeleteThese are things that I know but sometimes forget to practice. :/ Thank you for the reminder!
Thanks for commenting; you said it so, so well! That's exactly right - if we don't make time for the real thing, how can we expect the example to turn out? But if we do focus on the real thing, then the other relationship - and any other relationships - will fall into place! It's really a matter of priority.
DeleteHmm... Something to think about and put into practice..
ReplyDeleteBy the way. I cannot imagine you being at all romantic. Haha, sorry, it sounds funny.
Yes, it's had me thinking. I know how much time some people put into their boyfriend/girlfriend, and how that compares with how much time I put into knowing God. :/
DeleteI'm glad I don't come across as a romantic person. :) I don't want to be one (oops, another definite statement), although I did used to be more that way inclined...
THANK YOU!!! Finally, there's someone else who isn't desperately trying to get married before they turn 25.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with everything you said. Marriage is important (I wouldn't be here without it) and there is a time and place to consider that. But like you said, that isn't ALL there is to life.
You're welcome! It's always nice to meet someone on the same page. :) And yes, marriage is definitely important, but it's important to put it into perspective too! Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts, Gloria. :)
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