I know everyone will be posting about love and romance and all that fun stuff today. I have a story very near to my heart that I would like to share.
On 2/14/2007 we had a huge snow in Maryland. It shut down the state, really. I’ve always worked at places that NEVER close for snow, so it was a very pleasant surprise to find out I didn’t have to go to work. I had a number of things I wanted to do that day, but something very profound and important happened on that day. Here’s what I wrote in my journal (which I mostly use for writing down my prayers. So it’s kind of like written conversations I have with God and just general thoughts).
“I am so thankful for this day! Please bless my day, help me to live it to it’s fullest, help me to really grow during this time with you now. Father, please heal my wounded heart. Help me to embrace my singleness and where you are leading my life right now. I know you have my best in mind. You are so good to me!
‘His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.’ John 12:16
How often this is true of us! We don’t know what God is doing until we get a major breakthrough and then we can see where he was working and his plan throughout.”
It was the first time in my life that I truly accepted my singleness. I had been through several relationships at this point and was even slightly pursuing a few guys around the time of writing the above entry. I always heard people say, oh, once you stop looking for someone, you’ll meet them! I would play the “yes, I’m done looking!” but would still be looking over my shoulder. On that day, 5 years ago, I truly meant what I said. I was content with being single. I can’t really put into words what that was like, especially after desiring a relationship for SO long. Desperately, and trust me when I say desperately!
What I didn’t know then, and what brings me to tears on nearly every single telling of that day, was that I would meet the love my life two days later.
Whatever your take on Valentine’s Day and whatever you’re doing today, I hope that this story encourages you, in whatever way you need encouraging.
(photo credit: Shawna Sherrell Photography)
UPDATE: We ended up having a last minute date on Valentine’s Day and I never shared the picture!
