Party of One...

First off I apologize for two things. 1. I haven't posted in almost two weeks...I am falling behind a bit. 2. This post may crossover with some of the previous posts.

One thing I have found this summer through research for this blog (and in general discernment) is that it is very difficult to find information on the single life. It is also very difficult to avoid the pressure from a society that is set on the vocation of marriage. It is everywhere...it is the norm, but because of the prevalence of marriage and dating it is difficult to focus on the single life as an option...possibly why many don't even give it a thought.

I was introduced to a book a few weeks back, "Party of One: Living Single with Faith, Purpose, and Passion" - Beth M. Knobbe. Anyone interested in reading it is welcome to borrow it when I am finished, just let me know. I have only made it 4-5 chapters in so far but it has been an interesting way to look at the single life vocation. The book is written by someone who is living the single life, with excerpts from married who considered the single life and other singles who are still discerning or have decided to be single for the rest of their life. The book covers a little of the discernment process and addresses some of the things that singles are faced with: being questioned on why they are still single, not being considered 'grown-up' yet, and having relatives and friends try to set them up.

I will admit that this weeks post comes with a little stress...a third apology. This last week I was hit with a ton of marriage reminders while at Alive in You. Staff members my age, babies that came on the mission trip, talk from the adults about their spouses and their own children that they brought on the trip. It was a lot all at once to be surrounded by. I still struggle which direction I am being called married life or the single life without much movement toward one or the other. I sat in adoration at Alive in You on Saturday night asking where he wants me. Maybe I still have much to learn about silencing my mind, listening, and letting go. I can't find a happiness in either vocation because I am conflicted by the other. The cons of one vocation are the pros of the other, and thus they sit in balance difficult to find one rising above the other.