“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
God is the author of our stories. It is He who has made us and crafted us to be who we are. It is He who calls us into a relationship with Him.
It is He who fills the infinite void we have in our lives. It is He who brings purpose and meaning to our lives.
Why am I writing these things? Because I have been reading things recently that concern me. I have been reading that if we, (women), don’t marry and have children when we are young, we may never marry or have children, and our lives will be empty and unfulfilled. It is true that women are most fertile in their twenties—this is true, but that does not mean that having babies in our twenties or even having babies at all– is God’s plan for each of us.
We, each have a different story, a different purpose. Some of us will get married and have children, some of us will get married and not have children, some of us will not get married and not have children, some of us will parent children without a mate. Some of us will get married young, and some later in life. I know people who fit each of these scenarios.
I think of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) who started the profession of nursing. God designed her to do this, He put a great desire in her life to be a nurse and to train others to nurse. She was born into a wealthy British family and was expected to marry young and have children. She received a marriage proposal from someone suitable to her family and also someone she cared for, but she turned him down. She believed God had called her to nursing, and that God would fulfill her as she was obedient to His calling. Her efforts in nursing and sanitation revolutionized nursing, elevating it to the honorable profession it is, and saving untold numbers of lives.
We don’t always know where God is going to call us. Or what our lives will look like. I was on staff with Cru, (a Christian missionary organization), when I met my husband to be. He was also on staff with Cru. We were both 27 when we met. We married when we were 28. I was a few weeks short of my 29th birthday. I was 31 when we had our first child, 35 when we had our second child, 36 when we had our third child, 38 almost 39 when we had our fourth child and 46 when we had our 5th child.
God’s plan for me was not that I marry young—His plan was that I wait, marry later, have children in my thirties and one in my forties. I love the story God is writing of my life!!
I have friends who married young and had their children when they were young. Their stories are amazing!!
I have friends who married for the first time in their fifties. Their children and grandchildren have come from their husbands. God is writing their stories, and their stories are amazing!
I have friends who are still single. Their stories are amazing!!
One thing I have discovered, is that no matter whether single or married, with or without children, God was and is showing me that only He can fill the infinite void in my life.
The lie is that something else will fill that void – a husband will fill that void, or a child will fill that void, or a career will fill that void, or __________ (insert anything else) will fill that void. God has shown me in every stage of life that nothing will fill that void except for Him.
That is why, whatever stage we are in, we can be content and filled with joy, because we have Him.
He is the author of our stories. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is also the giver of good gifts. The best gift He gives us, is Himself.
So, Be Encouraged!!
Encouragement for you!! 