How To Disappear Completely

Generations to Generations

This afternoon was spent at a grandparently couple's house, which is located on their fruit farm. Their son and his family live on the other side of the field (which stretched out of sight) and run the farm. Apparently all their sons met their wives during harvest season, when the parents had to hire out extra help..."I hired those particular girls on purpose," says the gentleman, with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Which leads me to the rest of my entry. I love spending time with my grandparents' generation, listening to the stories of "the old country," watching people who have spent 3/4 of their lives together, marveling at the numerous accounts of God's faithfulness and provision that tend to accumulate over the years. But inevitably the fateful question arises:

"So, do you have a boyfriend, young lady?" I dread replying in the negative because I know that what comes next is invariably the same:
"What a tragedy!"
"Such a pretty girl!"
"Well, you'll make a man a wonderful wife someday."

I appreciate the kindly feelings behind these statements. After all, these people have lived life with a significant other for so long they can't imagine what life would be like without him/her. And because marriage has brought them so much joy and wisdom and maturity, they merely wish me the same happiness with which God has blessed them.

But they do not realize that all this poisons contentment.

Most likely the majority of folks who read this blog are under 30. And the readers who are single outnumber those who are married. But please, please, please: if you happen to be in a position to minister to young, single folks, whether by opening up your homes and sharing your life experiences or by other means, encourage us in contentment, even if it means contentment in singleness.