Why Am I Not Married?
Recently we posted a link to the “No Girl Left Behind” website. A satirical solution to the “marriage crisis” (which, incidentally, we’ve not witnessed.) Of course, the answer to the question “Why am I not married?” is not always, “Because you aren’t ready.” It can also be, simply, the Lord has something else for you to do right now. But if you’re single and don’t want to be, it may be helpful to consider what “accomplishments” make a women truly marriageable. In response to the “No Girl Left Behind” website, the Botkin sisters have answered with a few thoughts for those who may be feeling panicked regarding marriage–or simply want to know what an “accomplished” woman should cultivate–and we think their thoughts are worth considering.
Commitment…then Intimacy
Chew on this…
Commitment produces intimate relationships, in that God-given order. The order God established is not an intimate relationship then commitment. God shows Himself to you in different ways and allows you to choose Him. Before there is a solid commitment you do not enter the Holy of holies, into the most sacred dwelling place with our Savior, into communion with His Spirit. You are not intimate with Him until that most significant step is taken: commitment.
Heather Arnel Paulsen, Emotional Purity: An Affair of the Heart, 2001
…and tell us what you think.
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No Girl Left Behind
Ladies, a crisis is upon us.
Here at the Pearls and Diamonds blog, we were entirely ignorant both of the crisis and of our patriotic duty to take a stand and right it.
Until today.
Visiting the “No Girl Left Behind Website” and learning of the Marriage Crisis…left no doubt as to the wisdom of the solution “proposed.” Government is always good at solving “problems.”
We encourage you to visit the website and join the campaign. Or at least the laughter.
Short-Cuts or Straight Paths?
A guest post by Abigail’s dear mother, Marcia
Our caravan consisted of the largest U-Haul available, a pick up pulling a trailer, three other well-packed vehicles, and 7 people. Estimated loading, departure, arrival times—every detail—had been carefully, thoughtfully planned by my orderly husband. Included in the glove compartment of each vehicle were printed directions to the final destination of that vehicle in case of accidental separation. The plan: upon arrival at the new town, the moving van and pick up would take their cargo to the new house. As leader of the other three vehicles, I was to proceed to a friends’ house where we would all spend the night. We all understood the plan.
Six hours later, as we neared the exit where the caravan was to separate, I remembered another way I had been taken by the realtor. A brief wrestling with my thoughts and I decided, “Yes, I’ll take it! It’s a better way- a short cut!” Brushing off noble attempts by others in the caravan to convince me to turn right, I confidently turned left. After all, I knew the short cut. Obediently, the two other vehicles slowly followed their confident leader. Within minutes my confidence began to falter. “Surely I should have come to the short cut by now,” I thought. As I passed the city limit sign for the upcoming town the truth began to haunt me. In the darkness I had clearly missed my turn. My only choice now was a third road… the long way. Eight miles of very dark, unfamiliar, and dangerously windy blacktop for one foolish leader and her trusting followers. A shameful and repentant wife awaited her husband’s return that night.
What was I thinking? Why did I second guess the plan? How could my way have been better than the well-planned and communicated, previously tested one of my husband?
The spiritual lesson is so obvious and simple: Follow the directions carefully laid out for me by my loving heavenly Father in His Word. I cannot simple hit the rewind button and re-tape my daily decisions. Trusting Him means following His plan the first time…without question, without regret. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6
Tonight, two and a half years later, I took my husband for a drive…back to the place where I made that rash and prideful decision. This time I turned the right way and properly followed his old plan to the original destination. Of course, it wasn’t quite the same, yet in a small way it eased my aching conscience. My husband, along for a nice ride, had long since forgiven and forgotten my offense.
Pearls and Diamonds 