The Best Love Story

Most young girls dream of prom, our wedding day, and the sweetness of motherhood. I had this dream as a young girl. Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, and the rest of the Disney fantasy movies taught me that someday a man would come to my window, sweep me off my feet, call me beautiful, and love me forever.

Eventually, I found out that storyline was not reality.

The first surprise came in high school. I always felt like I was the odd girl out. I never got asked out, never got danced with. I never got creepy texts (though, in hindsight I am thankful the Lord protected me from boys’ weirdness). My friends had to help me find the last guy available to ask me to my Junior Valentine’s Dance and Senior Prom. I am sure there are many women out there who felt the same way, but this mentality stayed with me. For years, I told myself that I was last to be picked and not worthy to be pursued.

High school dances always led to tears. Sometimes even now, friends’ engagements lead to tears. I think back to when I went to a dance with all of my friends, and I was the only one without a date. I was sad I didn’t get asked out, but my parents instilled so much confidence in me that I thought that I could handle it. (I am so thankful for them for giving me this confidence.)

However, during one of the songs, I felt humiliated. I felt alone. I felt ugly. I felt unworthy. I felt unwanted. The enemy told me lies, and he continues to tell me those lies now. Thankfully, the Lord speaks louder truth than Satan speaks quiet lies.

On the ride home from that dance, I wept. I think back to my friends’ reactions. They showed me love and compassion, but they didn’t know what to say to comfort me.

Even today, as a believer in Christ, my heart cries when I scroll through Facebook and see a friend or acquaintance has a shiny ring announcing their engagement to a man who’s usually looking at them like they’re the only girl in the world.

Over time, I’ve come to realize that I made love stories an idol. Whether it’s Disney or my Facebook timeline, I believed that marriage is what makes our lives perfect and full. I recently read an Instagram post that put this into reality:

"I remember in college I made a promise to God that I would trust His perfect timing for my future husband if that was in His plan for me. I sometimes doubted and wondered could this even be part of God's plan?! But I always kept coming back to who good God is, how He always gives true life, and contentment in Him regardless of the season of life I'm in. I'm constantly baffled, speechless, and in awe of how God writes His stories. There is no way I would have been able to write this myself!! Bryan is more than I deserve and I am so excited to run this race called life beside him!!!! I'M ENGAGED TO THE MAN OF MY DREAMS!!!!!!" @paigepics

What a great way to bring me back to reality. God has plans for us. His timing is perfect, and His plans are perfect. Our relationship status doesn’t make us good or valuable. We have a Savior that died on the cross for each of us -- that is what defines us. That is what we call the best love story.

Our story with Jesus is more full of love than any relationship we could ever find. He loves us in our sin. He loves us in our brokenness. He loves us in our hurt. No relationship on this earth with compare to the love Jesus has for us (Matthew 27).

Consider if you’re unintentionally idolizing a relationship, too. 1 Corinthians 10:14 says, “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” It’s so easy to do. If you are, pause and reflect on the relationship you have with Jesus and pray that God would increase your awareness of just how much you’re already loved. And please pray for the singles in your life. We spend so much time celebrating couples with engagement parties, bachelorette parties, weddings, and baby showers that it’s easy to forget to celebrate the people in our lives who aren’t married yet.

Take some time to show them that the victories of singleness are just as valuable to you. Consider these five ideas to celebrate your friends:

1. Throw a party when your friend gets a new job or a promotion.

2. Take your friend to a creative painting/ceramic type event when they purchase a home.

3. Take your friend to coffee when she gets a pet (take the pet too and drink coffee outside).

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10