What a love story...

So I am going to be honest here.

I'm just getting tired of seeing things about love and relationships and marriage proposals because there's a part of me that gets hurt and feels discontent with life and like there's something wrong with me for being single at 21 when what seems almost every other "good Christian girl" is settling down by this point. (Which I know isn't totally true but it sure seems it on social media.)

The body of Christ has bought into this "fairy tale pure romance" story that every girl gets a Prince Charming chosen by God and they should get married young to stay pure and then have children to raise them up in Christ to build up more warriors for Christ because that's what life is all about.

I am not saying that is a bad thing. I know so many young girls, younger than my 21 year old self who are happily engaged, married, or even having babies with men who are amazing men of God and I can see God's hand at that. I am so genuinely happy for them. That was God's will. For them.

What I am saying is that when I see articles saying "it's our job as Christian women to get married young and raise Christian babies" I feel the pain of someone raised in a world where fairy tales and looking for love are the norm and those who haven't found it should keep looking and striving for it or else they aren't worthy of anything.

Cinderella found her worth in a guy who didn't even know her name after dancing with her. Aurora found her worth after a kiss from someone she danced with once upon a dream. Belle fell in love with a beast because she saw his heart.

We crave these stories as a society. Everything has some sort of romance story in it.

It's all we know. It's what we want.

If we don't reach those goals then we aren't worth anything. We are cat ladies.

I decided that there's nothing wrong with me, it's society and the church that does that. God has a different time schedule for everyone and in singleness I am learning that Christ is the only one who can love me completely without flaw or hurt. He is who my worth is found in. Those stories are not my life and nothing is that easy. I was made with purposes and plans that far exceed just a simple Cinderella story, I was made to proclaim Christ in whatever he wants me to do. Even if that means never falling in love with anyone other than Christ himself.

We as Christians are children of Christ and God designed us to crave love and affection. We try to fill it with nostalgia, food, people, pets, books, movies, material possessions, charity deeds, and so much more. But after it all, we end up with a bigger need for love. A hole that can only be filled with Christ. His love. His cross. He was pierced and has nail holes in his hands and feet so our empty holes in our hearts could be filled without anything we had to do except ask.

Now that's a love story. A man dying for his bride all so that she could live in peace and covered in grace and blessings.

That is what everyone needs.

So for all the people who are in love and have families, I bless you and pray God covers you and pours out his spirit upon you and your families. I pray you and your husbands are blessed and kept together in good and bad. I pray your kids are strong in the Lord and leaders and warriors for Christ.

And for all the single Christians out there, hang in there. Fill the lovesick feelings with more Jesus. He does not return void. Hide under his wings when you feel the sting of loneliness. Breathe in his grace and promises and his truth when you feel hurt and unwanted. Focus on the passions you have that you can use for Christ to make your love story with him more beautiful. You are worth just as much love as anyone else.

Christ thought so. He came and died on the cross so you could feel his love.

You are worth it. You are loved already.

Sorry for this rant and if you don't agree, please know I did not say any of this to offend anyone(though I doubt anyone reads this). This is my open journal. I write what my heart is crying.

Much love and blessings this end of the year,

Lexie