Loving Him...

I am so in love. Everyday I spend time with my beloved and the talks continue to deepen and I simply learn more and more. The relationship grows and I can't help but get excited about the plans for the future! He has me captivated, and I anticipate the moments we share.

I'M TALKING ABOUT GOD, SILLY!

See, really, only He can fulfill my deepest needs and desires. How He chooses to do it is up to Him, but He alone can have first place in my heart. About a year ago I had one of those, "Why am I single, Lord?" days. I wrote to a few close girl-friends asking for prayer--so I would remain focused on the task God had put before me. I remember the response of one of my dear (married) friends. She said, "Greta, singleness has nothing to do with it. I love married life, but I still struggle some days with fulfillment. It is only in God that I find that!" Wow, what honesty, no?

You know, none of us knows what God has planned or the timing of His plans. I remember when I was in high school, and most of my friends figured I'd be one of the first to get married and have the whole "white pickett fence" thing going on. Well, 4 years of college, 2 years of grad school, 2 years of teaching, 2 years in Mexico City, 1.5 years in seminary, and almost 2 years in Mexico City ALL PASSED BY and many of my friends got married and started families. That's about 13.5 years past high school. I'm still not married...and even though the prospects are much higher now than ever that I will be, I still must seek my satisfaction in the Lord alone.

So, this is another one of those "ladies, be content" things, isn't it? I know for some of us it gets old, but it doesn't have to. Let's all face it--our discontentment boils down to our selfishness saying, "God, I know better than You what I need in life." I need DSL because I can listen to John Piper and get some good messages in English! I need a car because it is time consuming to travel in taxis and buses. I need Bisquick because I can't make the pancakes I really like without it. I need a husband because how can I fulfill my plans without one? Hm. I know, I know, "Easy for you to say, Greta, you're on the verge..." BUT--I had to wait. I had to hear the "most people will marry" speech thinking, "I'm in the 'not-most' category." I had to hear the "you'll just know" answer to the "how will I know?" question. I had to finally wear the "I WILL NOT PLAY THE CATCH-THE-BOUQUET-GAME" sign at my friends' weddings. (I will NOT have that at my wedding!)

My point? Simply this--God has mighty plans. Don't settle. Use your time wisely and trust that He knows better than you (or I) do what He has planned for your (or my) life. LOVE HIM...don't miss out on the incredible opportunity to bask in His love for you and His doting on you while waiting to receive that love and doting from a sinner! (Yes, if you should ever marry, you WILL MARRY A SINNER!)

So, that's my sermon for tonight. I hope it can encourage someone and not discourage anyone. Last night I listened to 3 women pretty much "man-bashing" the man I happen to have grown to love (in his presence, mind you). It made me angry, but I after I listened for a while I realized that they did not experience what I am experiencing when they met their husbands. Why? They did NOT allow GOD to orchestrate His plans. (They freely admit that they have never seen anything like Angel and I...that God really did "put us together.") Don't settle. Don't do it! Wait and trust.

Now, I'm really going this time. Love HIM!!!