The dreaded comment...

On Saturday, my good friend Rena, got married. I was one of the bridesmaids (Pictures coming soon hopefully). I arrived on Friday morning at the appointed time to sit and wait for at least half an hour before the bride herself arrived with the decorations. Granted, I should've known that Rena would not have been on time. I spent 12 hours at the church, setting up, preparing food, decorating, etc, etc, etc. I experienced my first rehersal in sneakers. I had a very cute outfit picked out for the rehersal but no one else changed so I wasn't going to either. It was a busy day to say the least.

I must say that for the first time in a long time I felt pretty. I have finally gotten my hair highlighted and cut. I scrounged up enough money to get a much needed pedicure. I felt good. Wedding time rolled around and Kayla, Rena's sister, did my hair for me. It held the "do" most of the day - despite the wicked heat. I had a great dress that I looked and felt good in. I was pretty tired when the actual ceremony rolled around. I was escorted up the aisle by one of my favoritest guys of the moment. One who I wish would notice me more and want to be a better friend with me! We have the same sense of humor and competed most of the weekend to get the one-liners out. We chatted up and down the aisle and maybe it was imagination but I swear he kept looking at me during the ceremony and smiling. He's just an all-around nice, grown-up, single, Christian guy.

Now back to my point...I was feeling pretty good about myself. I had received several compliments from Rena's friends and family. Then came the downer...after many rounds of pictures after the ceremony we entered the reception. I knew some of the people there and they were waiting to speak to me when we entered. My loving former Sunday School teacher from West Asheville was one of the first to get to me. Here is what she said: "So how does it feel that Rena (who's younger than you right?) got married before you?" WOW - punch in the gut! I know she loves me and I know she wants God's best for me but I hope she realizes that the way she just said it wasn't nice. I struggled my way through the rest of the conversation. I was told that when I do finally get married that I needed to remember to invite them as well. The bridesmaid standing next to me said "Do you get that question a lot? How does it make you feel?" I went on to explain to her that I get it sometimes and I respond to it differently at different times depending on the circumstances of life at the moment. The sad part is that it most often comes from well-intentioned Christians. There is a whole generation of Christian women who believe that in order to serve God fully and be happiest in life you have to be married. I disagree - yes, I do desire to marry someday but I also know that if God wants me to be single forever then I can't do much about it. Whichever way it happens, God has my best interest at heart. Does that make it any easier - absolutely not - but my head knows He loves me more than any man ever will and He'll care for me better than any man too. Did that question sting -yes! Is it a familiar sting - yes! Know that single or married, I'm pursuing what God has for me because He knows what's best.