God's gift of singleness

Philippians 4:11

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."

<---- (This was the first quilt I ever made and its suppose to symbolize life. In how the Lord see's the whole picture and we only see pieces at a time. Each piece serves a specific purpose....but they may not come with the piece they connect to....But once all the pieces are put together it all makes sense. So even though we may not understand why certain things are happening...we can rest assured God does because He is in control of it all.)

It truly is a gift from God to be content in singleness. Now I want to make it clear, I do desire to be a wife and mother one day. That is my DREAM!!! Ultimately though, my first and foremost desire is to bring honor and glory to the Lord.

As I approach my 26th birthday in September, I am overjoyed and amazed by God's amazing grace. I can honestly say that I have NEVER been more content with where the Lord has me than I am at this point and time. It truly is by God's grace that I am joyful with where the Lord has me in this season of my life. I do desire to be married and have a boatload of kids one day, but that may not be in the Lord's plan for me.

"The heart of man plans his way,

but the LORD establishes his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

This was not what I had planned for my life. By the time I was 25 I would have thought that I would have been married and have at least 2-3 kids by now. But that wasn't the Lord's plan for me! =) I am so thankful that it wasn't the Lord's will for me to be married and/or have kids right now.

I quit my job about a year and a half ago... The Lord really convicted me of how I was using my gift of singleness to honor Him. I was honestly just working for the sake of working. I was blessed with an amazing job, but in light of eternity I felt it more of a hinderance more than anything else. Being able to help my parents out at home as well as homeschool my little brother Mark...has been extremely rewarding. I never would've been able to do this if I had my own family. What I do now is WAY harder than being out in the "work world" haha working was easy. I am constantly being reminded by the Lord that this life is not my own. Meditating on Luke 9:23 "And He said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. "

Living for the Lord means to DAILY die to myself, my wants,my flesh, my desires...and Joyfully follow Him. Remembering that everything I do, I am to do it as unto the Lord!

I will tell you this...for the past year and a half looking through the worlds eyes, I would be viewed by most as very poor, BUT from a spiritual standpoint I have never been more wealthy. =) I praise God for that!!!!!

I desire to serve the Lord above all else. The more I am in His Word, the more I see how indebted to Him I am because of His grace. It is only by His grace and His grace alone that I can truly say I am content. By His Grace I desire nothing but His will for my life and I am honored to say I am a Slave to Christ! =)

If you think of it....please pray for me in the area of self-centeredness. It's so easy to get caught up in "life" and yet not truly be living for what really matters.

Grace and Peace,

Anna-Leah<><

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever, Amen." Romans 11:36