If you're single now...

If you’re single now and if you’re a Christian and if Romans 8:28 means anything, it means that today you can grow better as a single than you could if you were married. Or God would have you married.

In other words,
there are things that you’re learning now,
there are ways in which you can grow right now,
there are opportunities for service and ministry that are better for you, and for Him, and for everybody around you, as a single person.

- Tim Keller

(From Tim Keller's Sex, Singleness and Marriage sermon series)

Sentiments on the "sexy" hallowe'en costume

I totally agree with Joy the Baker on this one:

"This brings me to a very important point: the slutty bee/nurse/policewoman/fairy/cat/warrior/French maid/girl scout/bomb inspector/hipster/moose/panda bear/zombie/Strawberry Shortcake… is SO PLAYED (major lame). Ladies. We’re better than this. We don’t need to take everyday things and make them slutty. Why!? Why are we doing this!? Did you know that we have the ability and freedom to dress like hussies everyday of the year if we choose? Seriously... Why take the respected and regal bumble bee and turn that into a hot mess? WHY!?
...Don’t be slutty. Slutty on Halloween is DUMB and predictable and DUMB!"

Come to think of it, slutty on any day is dumb.

The worst part of my job

... is that I kill about 20 trees every day with the amount of printing and copying I do.

I have to give a hard copy of my work to this engineer, and that engineer, then it needs to be edited and reprinted 534232222857 times, then printed and handed to this other woman for approval, then printed for my boss, who has to make 23294288 more edits.

I like being environmentally friendly. I don't wanna kill anymore trees. :(

I guess if that's the worst part, that's not all that bad. :)

Dresses!

I love casual dresses. I love how easy it is to slip on a dress in the morning, and I love the way dresses look and feel. They can be worn all year-round (albeit with caution in the frigid Canadian winters). They can be worn for work and/or play. Plus, I just love how feminine they are.
I own a total of one casual dress that I wear on a daily basis. It looks like this one. Sadly, last month my washing machine ripped a small hole near the waist. *Sigh*. My favourite piece of clothing, my default work outfit, my cute little dress. Now it should be tossed, but I love it and can't let it go yet... I sewed up the one-inch hole and wear a belt that discreetly covers the area.

Ever since that little incident I've been looking for a replacement. Boy, is it hard to find cute, affordable and modest dresses and skirts!

Today, I am so excited to have stumbled on this gem of a website. It's called Shabby Apple, and it seems to be a socially-conscious, all-sizes-friendly business. They carry some really cute dresses. The ones I've looked at so far have high necklines, and go to the knee. They are all quite beautiful.

I think a dress is a good investment. Any piece of clothing that can be worn in multiple seasons, is appropriate for work, and transcends fashion trends is a good investment.

Because of some recent events, money is tight. I'm thinking of saving a bit, and purchasing one of those dresses next month. Now to decide which one to spend my hard-earned cash on. :) I welcome any suggestions!

Does it get any easier (to be single)?

Last evening I had a lovely chat at Starbucks with my friend M. We both agreed on something about our singleness: that it seems to be getting easier. That’s not to say that we wouldn’t like to be married and have kids someday. I know I definitely do hope for those things. But, it’s not as difficult as it used to be, to be content with where I’m at now.

M and I are both finished school, working, serving in church, and staying busy, and we’ve found that at this phase/stage in our lives, it is good to be single. God is such a good provider, and I am confident that he will provide a spouse if it is the best thing for me. But for now, I am so grateful that it is getting easier to live the single life. (I know not everyone will have the same experience(s) that I have had, but I want to say that there is hope for all you young single ladies. :) )

What is love?

Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained. -- C.S. Lewis

Your Love is Deep

I'll admit it. I’ve been having a hard time being content in singleness. Some days it's just more difficult than I expect it to be.

I’ve been to 2 weddings in the last two weeks, and have heard about so many more. Don’t get me wrong; I’m so happy for the newlywed couples. It’s a blessing to be friends with so many godly people who aspire to honour God with their lives and their marriages. It’s just that, despite my efforts to remain content, I’ve felt insecure.

As I try to refocus on Jesus, I’ve found these words coming to mind.

Your love is deep
Your love is high
Your love is long
Your love is wide

Deeper than my view of grace
Higher than this worldly place
Longer than this road I travel
Wider than the gap you filled

("Your Love Is Deep" song)

This song is based on Ephesians 3:17-19: "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

His love is exactly what I need right now. Although part of me wants to dive into a romantic relationship, I’ve been there before and I know that kind of relationship isn’t really what my heart is craving. It won’t completely satisfy. I need to be satisfied in Christ.