Everyone Has a Role to Play

The third and final part of my conversation with Carolyn McCulley, Dr. Dobson and John Fuller about being single and hoping for marriage is airing today on Focus on the Family.

Today we talk about the many roles to be played—by God, parents, women, men, churches, etc.—on the way to marriage. We also talk about the pain, frustration and possible redemption of being single longer than expected.

Carolyn has this to say about it on her blog:

As Dr. Grudem said on Sunday morning at my church, he doesn't know anyone over 50 who has not had a significant trial or affliction. If you live long enough, you will encounter difficulty because it's what happens in a fallen world. But this is not the end of the story. Not only will we experience God's redemptive activity in this life, we have the promise of sin-free, pain-free life everlasting with Him in eternity. So if I am called by God to glorify Him as a single woman, even though I desire marriage, I know He is not wasting that desire or my small sacrifice in the years I have lived in that tension. He is weaving that into His plan to rescue, redeem, and reclaim His children.

And that's my confidence in extended singleness.

In case you missed any of the shows, you can listen to all three days worth of conversations with this crew here (look for the links in the list of "Recent broadcasts").

MarryWell.org update: We're excited to see so much interest in the coming-soon dating service brought to you by some of the people who brought you Boundless webzine. Thanks to all of you who've already joined the interest list; we'll be sending more detailed updates, and asking for your feedback, soon. Please feel free to spread the word to your friends, especially guys. The more the merrier!

Comments

[Peggy]

Sooooooo....happy to find you.
I am 59...and so want to marry a godly...
imperfect man who is sincere in his growth as a christian...perhaps a widower would
be a blessing...and someone who is a suitable help mate...Help...just how do I
pray boldly and effectively for a godly
suitable help mate? This is what I desire
to be to him.
I so desire to be pleasing to God with this very real desire.
Thank you...and God bless your gift of encouragement!
Trusting in His goodness,
Peggy

[Andrea H.]

Candice,

A sweet married lady from my church heard part 3 yesterday, and she called me at work and left a message to tell me about the broadcast, even encouraging me to check for a podcast option. What's funny/cool about this is that she normally calls to ask me to sub for her in Sunday School (1st graders), but we talked recently about a comment I made in a meeting about our church needing to do more to reach my generation's men. So this dear sister in Christ knows my heart on these things. She said that you and Carolyn are very wise and had many good things to say.

So... gradually people are getting it!!! YAY!!!

Thanks for sharing your stories and your wisdom with us. =)