I went and visited my former church this past Sunday.
It wasn’t merely a social visit, or a hang out—one of the elders, a man whom I greatly respect and admire, and his wife were addressing the congregation. The church combined the two services into one to allow everyone to hear this man speak to the church. The Lord provided the opportunity for me to go, and I am thankful I was able to be there. It was wonderful seeing old friends and listening to John and Judy address the church.
John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two weeks ago. His life expectancy is unknown at this point. Pancreatic cancer is very aggressive; only the Lord knows of John’s home-going date. It could be next week; it may not be for a few years. The elders anointed John with oil and prayed over him at the end of the service. It was one of those moments you don’t soon forget. In a way, I felt like Moses standing before the burning bush, taking off my shoes—this was holy ground where the Lord was present among His people.
Hearing from a man who has been told he will see the Lord face-to-face much sooner than the rest of us should give you pause. Hearing his thoughts, seeing his composure and confidence before the Lord, the calm in the midst of the storm, the strength God Himself supplies that defies understanding and comprehension—I was in tears as I watched God strengthen this couple as they spoke.
There were several things said that I will treasure. There was one thing, however, that struck my heart in a meaningful way as a single woman. That’s what I want to share with you today. It came not from John as he exhorted and encouraged the church—it came from his wife, Judy, as she shared the things the Lord had been teaching and showing her the past several years. She commented on how, throughout the course of their marriage, they have moved many times. Each time they moved, John would go ahead of her and prepare the next place for them to live. She would stay behind and pack up the house. This time, John is going ahead of her to heaven, and she will join him one day, when her work here is done.
If you’ve been a student of the Bible for any length of time, this story should come to mind. Jesus said,
[Jhn 14:2-4 ESV] 2 “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going."
This was a precious and comforting thought to me, as a single woman. Even though I don’t have the protection of an earthly husband here and now, that does not mean I am cared for or loved any less. I have the Lord Himself as my Husband, my Keeper, my Protector, and my Guide. He has gone ahead of me to prepare a place for me, and I will see Him face to face one day. That little bit of exhortation and encouragement was very good for my heart today. It is very good when, as a single, you’re encouraged in the midst of discouragement with your lack of a spouse and fitting in with the church culture (because let’s admit it, the church culture is a married culture, by and large).
We’re not forgotten. We’re not unqualified for marriage. We’re not second class citizens.
We’re waiting. We don't know if that will change our earthly status or not, but our heavenly status is secure. There's much comfort in that truth!
A single woman in her 30's who drinks coffee and tea almost as much as she breathes. In school pursuing a masters degree in Biblical Counseling. Loves to write about that, and more. Grab a cup of caffeine, join me . . .