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Singled Out

Ah, February.  The month of candied-hearts, chocolate kisses, and Pepto-Bismol pink splattered EVERYWHERE! Lovey-dovey, ooey-gooey, undying love sentiments plastered on television commercials, retail store ads, and Facebook pages. We won't even talk about the Hallmark Channel! There is almost no escape for an entire month...well, really two months because all the insanity begins before you can take your Christmas decorations down. From a single gal's perspective, this is truly maddening.


As a society, we are constantly categorized by financial status, educational background, occupation, parental status, friend, or foe. Unfortunately, our marital status is one of the top classifications that span across many other areas of life such as taxes, gym membership, school forms, church groups, and so on... Suddenly, you find yourself labeled, yet again. From a single mother's perspective, this is even more maddening. You just want to yell, "I AM SO MUCH MORE THAN MY MARITAL STATUS!"

Usually, I can breeze right through this month pretending not to notice all the hype. Although I am unsure why this year has been a little harder for me. I have found myself in a melancholic mood with an indescribable emptiness. As a Christian, we are taught that Jesus should take the place of everything we are missing or longing for, and not only is that true, it is possible. Though I am sincerely striving to reach that level, I have not yet attained it in every alcove of my soul. No lie…I am lonely for companionship and I do not understand why I cannot find someone to love me, someone to tell me I’m beautiful, someone who enjoys being with me, someone who wants to stay forever.

The other day, the girls and I were out and about when my oldest daughter says to me, "Mom, you don't have a Valentine." Of course, this was a day that I was already struggling a bit and with tears in my eyes, I looked back at her. There I sat staring at the two most innocent and beautiful and sweet Valentines you have ever seen! In that moment, I realized I had been focusing on what was missing rather than what I already possessed and shame on me for not focusing on how to make their Valentine's Day special.

Later, my thoughts went deeper. How many people are out there with no one to tell them how beautiful they are or how much they are loved and how enjoyable it is to spend time with them. It only takes a minute to send a text, compose a sweet Facebook status, or make a quick telephone call. In doing so, we can find even greater satisfaction and fulfillment in knowing we made someone's day a little bit brighter. After all, we are supposed to be the light of the world. Let your light so shine!

Psalm 36:7 "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings!"

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