Tuesday, January 20, 2009

It's OK....

....to be single.

It is a reoccurring theme that I have to assure people of (regarding myself) all the time and this weekend it was also the "theme" of my lessons to a couple hundred high school girls. Each year Faulkner hosts 'Jewels', which is a high school girls retreat. I was one of five speakers this year and had to speak four times on Saturday. My (obviously assigned) lesson title was "Mister Right...Not Right Now: God's Timing", basically...God's timing with His gift of LOVE...

Now, I have taught a few Bible classes to this age, especially at camp during the summers but always in smaller groups and more interactive settings. But standing up in front of four different groups of high school age girls is slightly intimidating, to say the least. I think it went ok but this is just a tough topic. Believe me, I know that it is NOT taught in the church of Christ that it is OK to be a single woman. I could just see them sitting there looking at me like, "Well, good for you but no thank you. I DO NOT want to be 28 and single." Like there is no worse thing in the world. I have had to fight it the past 8 or so years from not only younger girls but older women too!

Great example.....
As most of you know I went home to Valdosta two weeks ago. While I was there a woman I have known almost my whole life said to another family friend, "That Laurie is such a pretty girl, it's just too bad she's not married." Like I WAS pretty with the exception of that big, nasty wart of singleness right in the middle of my face! :^) I KNOW this is not how she meant it (because I KNOW her and know she just thinks marriage is better than any alternative) but I get stuff like this ALL the time. Seriously, one day I am going to have the time to just sit down and blog on quotes of STUPID things people say to me all time!

Anyways, I digress..... The thing I wanted to get across to these girls is just the opposite of what I have always gotten from everyone (VERY IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: when I use "always" and "everyone" I mean 'everyone' BUT my immediate family and Walker side of non immediate). It was a tough sell but I think I got through to a couple, because they came up to me and told me so :)

It was fun and I am glad that I got the opportunity to do it. I was sad though that it kept me from going home for Homecoming and seeing the last of the Walker cousins who will be graduating from GCS. It's kind of a sad day for the Walkers, who have, to say the least, a very long history there. Congratulations to Sam though, who looked BEAUTIFUL!

Last thing and off subject, please continue to remember Officer Broadway from MPD who is still in critical condition after his accident last week, while on duty. Please remember him, his doctors, his family and friends, and his "brothers and sisters" who are all struggling eight now. Thanks for your prayers and inquiries about him.

8 comments:

Leslie P. said...

I think this is a really great blog! People kill me how they think you just HAVE to be married when you are 21 and if you are not by the time you are 24 then you might as well just give up! I mean SERIOUSLY! I would rather wait until I was 48 to get married if I had not found the right person! Settling is just DUMB!!!!!

Melissa Lester said...

I know you did a great job!

tleaf10 said...

Amen and Amen. I have wanted to post this same thing for a long time! It hurts to hear that people think you are not as good of a person single as you could be married. I think I'm a VERY good single person, aunt, sister, daughter, and friend. I know many that could not say they are a very good spouse. Thanks for the post. Don't you love this one "well so-and-so had a baby. When are you getting married?" What the crap does that have to do with each other?!!!!

Bev said...

Just remember it wasn't me that made that remark in Valdosta--remember I told you that having a husband does not make anyone any prettier! XO--Beverly

Bev said...

Just remember it wasn't me that made that remark in Valdosta--remember I told you that having a husband does not make anyone any prettier! XO--Beverly

T. Brodie said...

Thank you for that. I know you did a great job. I HATE getting up in front of others to speak. Many girls I am sure needed to hear that.

The Holtons said...

There is NO way that a man could make you any prettier!!! ILY and can't wait to see you!!!

Chad said...

I am definitely keeping the officer in my prayers. Working in law enforcement is something I long to do, so this touched me. Please keep us updated.