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What To Do On A Friday Night
by Leah Nichols Okay, let's take a moment to really get real. What does a good Christian single gal do on a Friday night when everyone else is either otherwise engaged or on a date? I'm serious. After years of not having any one consistent person to hang out with every weekend, I got pretty good at pretending I was fine, despite the inner turmoil I truly felt when anticipating yet another night to remind me that God had not yet brought my husband into my life. It's enough to drive a girl crazy and force her to lock herself at home, mourning her lack of connection with the world around her - maybe even desperately search those Christian singles sites in hopes to avoid that very situation come the next week! I'm not referring to anyone you know, of course.... Honestly, when one is in the trenches of waiting for God's best, it is often lonely and seems unfair that God would withhold what appears to be the norm for any other person in the world. Especially for Christian singles - both girls and guys - it seems even more unfair, since most have a godly conviction that keeps us from clubbing and barhopping to find someone to spend the night with. In this modern age, many options are available for "hooking up" even in the Christian singles realm. Yet how do you know which options are valid pursuits? How do you know you aren't walking into just another worldly place with a Christian facade? And is that what God is really expecting you to do on Friday night? Before I address the practical aspects of these questions, I will do a quick perusal of the Bible to find God's deep concern for all of the bored Christian singles out there.... Okay, I found it - the one Scripture that truly addresses our situation and gives the deep encouragement we are seeking: Psalm 68:6 - "God sets the solitary in families." Um, Leah, did you forget something? WE'RE STILL SINGLE. We're not in families yet....that's why we're reading this article! Hear me out! I really truly believe this Scripture captures the heart of God for the lonely on a Friday night. Now, read it again with me: God sets the solitary in families. Did you catch that? Not "a family" like you might have read it at first. Families. Plural. I know, I might get in trouble for my own interpretation of the Word of God, because truthfully, I'm not a Hebrew scholar. But I believe that the Holy Spirit sometimes downloads a new interpretation for us in Scriptures we thought we understood. I was startled today by the divine thought that maybe I had looked at this passage in the wrong light. Just bear with me in a little folly, as Paul puts it. We are not limited to waiting for that one family that God will bring us that includes a husband and kids. God does not simply place us in a family. God sets us in families. Families include those who raised us, the people we worship with, the groups we associate with, and those who identify with us. One person can have multiple families. I'm sure you understand this concept already, because if you're like me, you probably have multiple spheres of influence. I have my church families - plural there because I've been part of a few different churches in my life, my writer family, my symphony family, and my work family, in addition to the family that raised me. In the extremely rare event that some event isn't going on one night, I am sure I can find at least one person to talk to or hang out with. Now I do recognize that I have the vast advantage of living in an urban area, so I can't say I really know what it's like to live in a small town and only have two friends. Yet, I can point to the promise of God for those in that situation. Maybe you have built your life in a place where there are few around you. This does not exclude you from that Scripture. God sets the solitary in families! Look around - there are so many places in which to find a family. Don't limit yourself to those of your own demographic; you may be surprised to find out who might be your friend! I will now present a list of potential families. Lo and behold, this also solves your Friday night problem! See, I told you I had a practical application. - Church activities - Small groups - Book clubs - Bowling leagues - Aerobics classes - Music groups - Writing groups - Any other possibilities? What do you like to do? What are the different families in your life? And why are you sitting at home, moaning about your loneliness and lack of a spouse? Get out there and spend some time with your family! No need to wonder what you're going to do on the weekend - I'm sure someone else needs your input and encouragement today. And yes, there is even some hope - I won't deny the possibility - that you might also find that one special someone with which to spend another Friday night. For now, however, enjoy the nights you have to spend with your family. When you do find that special someone, you'll already have a place to hang out! Leah writes in her spare time....whenever it's available. She and her husband Ryan live in the greater Los Angeles area, where she works as a labor/delivery nurse, writing and playing the violin on the side. She also enjoys cooking, baking, walking, and reading blogs on the internet. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |