now showing on heaven's big screen . . .

You know you read about this huge life changing events in someone's life... where it seems like time stands still or the planets shift... and life as you knew it would never be the same again.... imagine an event with more impact than that...one that literally shifts eternity...not just the here and now, not just life as we know it... but where eternity itself is impacted and changed.... now imagine missing out on that event. . . because that is what i did this week... i missed out on one of the biggest events that could ever happen.

True story. . . I missed it. I didnt miss it by choice. . .i just happened to be thousands of miles away from the event. . . but none the less...i missed it.

so what was this monumental occasion . . .my precious father got baptised! There are no words, and if I even try express my emotions would suffocate it out. . . so I am not going to try. I am so proud of him and the decisions he has made. . . and I am telling anyone who even glances in my direction all about him. . . but sadly I wasnt physically present for the occasion. . .my brother got the honor of not only being there, but also of helping baptise our dad and I can honestly say that makes me grin from ear to ear... I am so so so glad that my brother was part of it.

So here is a picture of the occasion...i am so grateful that technology allows for us to catch glimpses of special moments in our loved ones lives even though we might be separated by distance. Skyping with a dear friend today, yet another perk of technology, dropped an amazing insight tonight and I cant hold back but write about it. . .

She said that she knew I was probably a bit disappointed that I was not physically present for this occasion. And it would be a normal emotion to have amidst the great joy. But that one day, when we are in heaven, I would get to see it in a “replay” except far better. Instead of seeing an image or video like on a tv screen, I would get to see it in vivid colour, 3D and probably larger than life, watching the experience of my dad's baptism. to be able to enjoy all the sights and sounds of the occasion.... BUT wait there is more... I would not just get to see the moment but I would get to see the spiritual impact of it, the angels celebrating in joy etc etc... the whole package would be revealed to me. And that even though it feels like I missed out on it now, when in reality I will get to embrace the fullness of it. and that i would not only see all of this... it gets even better. i would get to see the whole picture, the journey leading up to the point of baptism and every little thing along the way that impacted my dad and drew him closer to God. . . WOW! i can barely comprehend how awesome that moment will be. 

It reminded me of that scripture in 1 Cor 13 where it says, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”

the day will come... when I will see and know the whole picture not just the glimpses I see today. at this rate eternity is going to be anything but boring. . . i can hardly wait. i am so glad that my friend shared her insight with me... and how it encouraged me... i am so glad at the goodness of the God we serve and that this life is not all we have... but that eternity awaits and its so much better than anything i could ever have asked, hoped for or imagined.

so for those of you struggling out there, with time and distance and missing loved ones....remember in this life they, and we, get the benefits of living a fasted life as we give up our countries and loved ones to serve God. [look at Isaiah 58 for a glimpse into some of the benefits of a fasted life] but we have so much more to look forward to in eternity...so keep on keeping on.... keep on pursuing Him and His Will and know that we will taste and see that our Lord is good....keep those eyes, and hearts fixed on the Hope of eternity. 

Achoo - cough - splutter - do you have the same disease as me?

I was mid blog on a completely different topic to the one i am about to share... but then someone poked this button tonight and i decided that i needed to VENT!!!! so here it comes.... are you sure you are ready to handle it???? if not.... feel free to stop reading here.

Having just attended yet another social setting made up of “non-single” people who deem it appropriate to parade my singleness in front of everyone else, pointing it out like a flaw or a something that needs fixing, and trying to rally support in their cause to cure me.... I would just like to say....

singleness is not a sickness!

In fact I don't want to just say it, I want to shout it out loud, print it on a t-shirt....design a billboard or something. So that people will finally get the message!

Singleness is not a sickness, nor a weakness, nor a flaw and it doesnt make me inferior or second rate to you.... my identity and self-worth and value are based on who I am in Christ, not on whether I am married or single.

I am so tired of people treating me like there is something wrong with me or like i am second rate just because I am single. And i am tired of them constantly passing comments or trying to “Cure” me. . . for real!

I am currently living in a society / culture where marriage is almost a god …. it is the mark of a woman. You may not be called a woman until you are married. You can be in your 50's and they will still use the same word for you as they would for a little girl . . . you need a man to be called by their word for woman.

Every day I have lived in this nation someone has toasted me wishing I get married soon and asked me why I am still single. In the 5 years I have lived in this nation I literally have not had a single day pass without a single comment about my singleness.... and truthfully I am now tired of it.

I constantly have people adding in their 22 cents worth . . . no that is not a typo, I know “2 cents” worth is the expression but on this topic people always seem to be more than generous with their opinions.

I have been told that I am too thin and so I don't look strong enough to be a wife, and that is why I am single. In fact the ones who offer this opinion often do it with a plate of food in hand ready to fatten me up.

I have been told I am too independent or too strong or my hair is too long or too short or not blonde enough or not dark enough or I should wear make up or I am wearing too much make up etc etc etc....they are always quick to find that elusive flaw that they can fix to cure me of my singleness.

I have had Christians ask me if there is sin in my life and is that  the reason I am single? I have also been told directly that I am in sin because I did not come straight out of my father's house and under a husband's authority. I often feel like saying to them, “i wasn't aware of any sin in my life, but your questions and statements are bringing me awfully close to sinning in my response...” but instead I smile sweetly and count to 10 under my breath.

I have had Christians tell me that I have “missed the boat”, because I was too fussy. . . I have had them also tell me to marry an unbeliever, because rather that than be older than 30 [just a little over 30] and still single. Really? So its ok to sin, as long as it means I get married?

I have been told that I will never be respected or have any influence in ministry as a single. [and no this is not just a woman thing because a MALE friend of mine who happens to be single was told the same thing....so in line with that I guess we should all remove the life of Jesus and Paul from the bible because clearly as singles they couldn't be effective or respected according to this logic!]

And let me not even get started on the ones who are continuously match making and trying to set me up, or pointing out my singleness in public gatherings trying to gather the support of other friends in the hope of finding the elusive cure for this disease that I have.

So let me set the record straight....

singleness is not a sickness any more than marriage is the cure.

My identity and worth come from Christ and His love for me and WHO he created me to be, not from whether or not I have a ring on my finger and a guy on my arm.

Marriage is not eternal! Sorry to rock the boat here! But when the end of days comes and we are up their in heaven, Jesus told us their would be no marriage. So why obsess and stress over something that is not even eternal? 

And if we really get down to it, marriage is not our entire lives either! We are not born married and stay married till the day we die.... we are only married for a portion of our lives, and as much as we hope to have long fruitful marriages, most will only be married about 50 years, which is LESS than half the years you are alive!

Before you all go thinking I am an anti-marriage feminist let me clarify. . . I believe in the covenant of marriage ordained by God. I believe, strongly, that it is part of God's plan and design, right from the beginning and that it is beautiful and it is GOOD!. . . I believe it is the only relationship that can fully display Jesus' love for the Church, which he refers to as His Bride. I believe it is the thing that reveals one of the great mysteries of the pursuing love of Christ for us. I believe it is a strong relationship that has unity which brings the blessing of God and can be a great testimony to both believers and unbelievers. I really do want to be married one day and I really do want to have children, both biological and adopted. . . I really do believe they are PART OF GOD'S PLAN for my life. . .

I do not believe that they are the only part of God's plan for my life. [I do believe,as the bible says, that some are called to celibacy.... personally I hope I am not and choose to trust for marriage one day], I do not believe that God's plan for my life can only start once I am married, or only be fulfilled if I am married. There are many great men or woman who fulfilled God's plan as singles, because being single was part of His plan for them.

When I first came to serve full time in this nation, I went through a stage of being VERY discouraged. . . I had been told by many that it would be better if I returned to South Africa, got married AND had a child and then came back to be a missionary in Albania. I was told I would never be respected here unless I was not only married but also had become a mother.... I was walking home one night, along the main boulevard, with the lights casting shadows across the old city walls... and I was belly aching to God about how difficult it was and how much easier it would be if I was married, and how tired I was of all the comments.... just really having a good moan, feeling almost ready to pack my bags and follow their advice.... but then the still small whisper of God resounded in my soul and he simply said, “if I needed you married to be here, then dont you think you would have been married already?” it was a clear question that adjusted my attitude. God knows what he is doing, if he needed me here as a married person then that part of my life [unless I was stubbornly in rebellious sin as some think I am] would have happened. . . He had a specific reason and purpose for bringing me as a single woman into this city, this nation, at this time. . . and until He tells me otherwise, and brings some prospects across my path, I am not running in that direction.

I will keep walking in what HE has called me to do, as best I know how, with a heart that seeks to serve Him first, and to build eternally. . . I have learnt to find my joy and satisfaction in Him, so much so that if he doesn't ever bless me with the gift of marriage in this lifetime, I would be ok. the discouraging comments havent let up, if anything they are stronger each day, and i have really had to dig deep into the things of God and find refuge in WHO he has created me to be, too be able to stand under the constant pressure.

I refuse to give up on what I know God has called me to, in this time, just so that I can pursue marriage. . . I will not give my inheritance to another just so I can enjoy the gift of marriage. Instead I choose to pursue Him and allow Him to work out the other details in my life.... by Faith. He knows its not good to be alone, and just like with Adam, HE IS MORE THAN ABLE of taking care of that department when HIS time is right!

I will not settle for second best. . . call me fussy but I do have my standards... I will not be unequally yoked! That is just not an option....so don’t expect me to compromise my beliefs just so that I can be married. I want a husband who is pursuing God and the things of God, not one who has his eyes stuck on the temporary things.... and I am prepared to wait for this.

I want my marriage one day to be that marriage that honors God, glorifies God and reflects who He is and how He loves.... something like that is worth taking time over and waiting for... so excuse me for not running into a marriage with any guy who crosses my path just because he is single and christian.

I want God's best in my life, I am not a consolation prize for anyone and I do not want a consolation prize.... its God's best or its nothing... and I am prepared to wait. [and in that waiting let Him work on who I am, so that I can be a good wife to whoever I marry some day] I honestly would rather be single than married to the wrong person just for the sake of being married. And I am also prepared to wait as long as it takes, as opposed to rushing into marriage just because I am in my 30's and passed my “sell by” date according to certain people's opinions.

Don't get me wrong.... I really do appreciate your concern and prayers for my singleness.... I know many of you are just worried about me being alone or lonely or missing my peek child bearing years. . . and I know many of you are well meaning in your efforts to cure my singleness. But i urge you next time my "condtion" comes to mind, take it up with the Doctor instead of telling the patient [me] what you think my ailment is.... rather pray for me, as i earnestly seek Him and His will, instead of trying to be my Doctor and cure me.

yours sincerely

an infected woman.