How does one become prepared for marriage?
Like, is there a book on getting ready? That warns you about all the new things you will need to do, or the things you won’t be able to do anymore, or the things you need to be prepared to live without (i.c., your own bathroom counter, or girly throw pillows on the bed)? Can you even be adequately prepared? Are there even those who know what they’re getting into before they get into it? Or do you just have to trust that life has prepared you enough and just go for it?
It’s so strange that I can feel so sure and so ready for something, yet I don’t even know what I’m ready for. I am about to embark on something I have absolutely no experience in, something I have never come close to in a relationship before.
I’ve always trusted that the Lord places us in seasons for very specific purposes. If you’re still in a season, it means you have more to learn. If you’re leaving a season, it means He wants you to learn something new in the next one. But guaranteed, the next season will be harder, will stretch you further, and grow you deeper than the one before.
I am seeing this even as I leave my single years and enter married life.
I LOVED being single. I was beginning to think I was made to be single for forever I loved it so much. I wasn’t the type to eagerly await the next romantic relationship. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when the next thing I hear is, “Ok, Case; you’re done here.”
Don’t get me wrong, I am beyond excited to be married. I am three weeks out exactly as I write this, but I would marry him this afternoon if I could. Sometimes I feel like I couldn’t wait another hour I’m so excited. But at the same time, I know that I’m about to be thrown into the most dangerous, exhilarating, unexpected whirlwind of an adventure that I have ever experienced. And that brings along a sort of terrifying sensation that comes with something you know you’re meant to do but aren’t sure if you’re ready for yet.
So these words don’t have much of a purpose except for welcome you into my mental process as I get ready to jump into an entirely new stage of life.
I'm thrilled, but my soul sort of trembles at the grandness of the adventure I am about to set out on. I had no idea how much my trust would need to grow in the Lord when I said "yes" to Jon. While I can trust that the Lord never leads me somewhere He hasn't prepared me for, He also never prepares me beyond needing Him. Every new stage in life is a greater opportunity to trust Him more, but trusting Him completely is the safest place to be.
All you single girls: Never hear from me that you should cling to your singleness as long as possible because marriage and relationships are hard and they aren’t as great as singleness. BUT. You are where you are because it’s where you’re supposed to be. I know that sounds kind of fruity, but don’t throw away the gift of your present situation. You’ll never have a time like this again, and live it out until there’s nothing left to live in it! Be wild and adventurous and laugh a lot and spend tons of time with your family and your college/high school friends. One day you’ll be out of this season, and you’ll be thankful you can look back on it and be ready to leave it because you lived it out with gratitude and full experiences. Learn a lot, and love where you are. The Lord knows; He knows where you’re going and He has bigger dreams for you than you do.
No comments :
Post a Comment