You were made to be loved.

It's a balmy summer night. I'm sitting alone in my room with small lamp glowing on my shoulder and though I should be working on homework or could be working on my book I just had this overwhelming urgency to write to you. Over the last few weeks the Lord has been stirring a lot in my heart and I don't know who, but someone needs to hear this.

You are not alone. You're not. Plain and simple. I know what it's like to crawl into bed night after night and just wish and pray for a pair of arms to hold you near. I know what it's like to see all of your friends get married and have children. I know what it's like to have opened your heart to love only to be let down. But, I also know that if you just let go of the pain and the longing and realize that God has a plan and purpose for your life. He does! And the moments that you waste dreaming and hoping for the future you can never get back.

The Bible says in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." In the Old Testament in Exodus we see that the Lord provided manna from Heaven for the Israelites everyday. They could not store up extra "just in case" the Lord forgot or ran out. As if. The Lord has already prepared for you everything you need and will ever need. He already has the perfect someone for you. And don't think that you are single because you're "too picky" or "not good enough". Those are lies from the enemy that would try to destroy you and the hope that God put within you.

You may be single for a number of reasons. God might be doing some healing, maturing, character building, faith building, or patience building in you or the one He has created for you. It could be that there are things that the Lord would have you or your significant other do before you two are joined as one. It could be that it's just not the right timing. God's time is always perfect! Therefore! "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

One more thought, I feel like some might even be thinking, "Well, maybe if I do this for God, He'll do this for me?" God does give you things based on what you do for Him. He does things for you because you are His child. He loves you and what father gives his child a rock when he asks for bread? If your earthly father gives good gifts how much more will your father in Heaven?! (Matt. 7:9-11)

Please, do not worry about your life. I was scared of being alone, but one day I realized that being single is a gift. It is only for a season. When it's summer we want autumn, when it's winter we want spring. But if we could look at the beauty of each season that God has created and enjoy it while it lasts, because it will only last but a moment. We'd begin to enjoy our lives and the waiting would be a joy and not a burden. That's what it should be, a delight.

And know this, you are never alone. You are whole all on your own. You do not need someone else to complete you. The Lord is with you and holds when you cry yourself to sleep. When your pillow is drenched in tears and you feel like you can't take it any more. God is holding you when life is on your back and you just can't shake it. God's holding you when you feel less then beautiful and feel invisible. God is holding you when everything is going great and life is wonderful. In every season, God is still God. God is still worthy. God is still holding you. And yes, God still has a plan for you. Just wait and see. Oh taste and see that the Lord is GOOD.

In Christ Alone,
~Ilene Rose