If ever there was a young woman who inspires me, who I would model my daughter to grow up like, it would be the sweetest-ever, Casey Herringshaw. I’m honored to have her here today sharing about being a single woman in today’s life and living for God–which shines boldly and beautifully through her life. Casey, you amaze me.
Everyone, welcome Casey!
It ain’t easy being me.
(and no, not
because I’m simply gor-geous
*snicker*)
because I’m simply gor-geous
*snicker*)
Twenty-one. Single. Not dating. Yeah.
It seems when you hit a certain age it’s expected that
you’ll date. Or at least by the time you’ve hit your twenties, you’ve had at
least one boyfriend. The boyfriend world
has never been for me and I’ve never been on a date and really put myself “out
there” as available. It can prompt some interesting conversations from those
who are curious about why I’m still unattached.
you’ll date. Or at least by the time you’ve hit your twenties, you’ve had at
least one boyfriend. The boyfriend world
has never been for me and I’ve never been on a date and really put myself “out
there” as available. It can prompt some interesting conversations from those
who are curious about why I’m still unattached.
I won’t sit and pretend it’s been an easy road to stumble
down. Stumble being the operative
word. I’m certainly not at a hopeless age for never marrying, it can seem like
my fusses are nothing but a futile compliant tossed to the winds. But sometimes
nothing is harder than to see those who have surrounded you during your growing
up years, your classmates and friends, all tying the knot.
down. Stumble being the operative
word. I’m certainly not at a hopeless age for never marrying, it can seem like
my fusses are nothing but a futile compliant tossed to the winds. But sometimes
nothing is harder than to see those who have surrounded you during your growing
up years, your classmates and friends, all tying the knot.
Since I hit my twenties I have probably seen half the young
women I grew up with get married and start the next chapter of their lives. And
every time I see the announcements on Facebook or hear about it from a friend,
the tiny part of my heart that longs to fall in love hitches. It’s not to say
I’m not thrilled for them. But it often doesn’t make it any easier to realize
they are leaving me behind.
women I grew up with get married and start the next chapter of their lives. And
every time I see the announcements on Facebook or hear about it from a friend,
the tiny part of my heart that longs to fall in love hitches. It’s not to say
I’m not thrilled for them. But it often doesn’t make it any easier to realize
they are leaving me behind.
It’s in these moments, I have to acknowledge the state of my
heart. I have to admit that I’m struggling. But then I have to admit it’s time
to move on. The only thing that comes of being obsessive or impatient is
heartache.
heart. I have to admit that I’m struggling. But then I have to admit it’s time
to move on. The only thing that comes of being obsessive or impatient is
heartache.
I have to be honest with myself in these cases and have a
sit-down with God. I can’t see my future. I don’t know where He’s taking me. I
don’t know what He still wants to teach me. All I do know, is He’s saying no right now. He’s asking me to walk by faith
and in trust. I don’t want the one thing I’d love more than anything to be the
one thing that shouldn’t happen right now because I’m not ready.
sit-down with God. I can’t see my future. I don’t know where He’s taking me. I
don’t know what He still wants to teach me. All I do know, is He’s saying no right now. He’s asking me to walk by faith
and in trust. I don’t want the one thing I’d love more than anything to be the
one thing that shouldn’t happen right now because I’m not ready.
Satan uses everything around us against us if we grant him permission. Oftentimes,
it’s my siblings ragging me about “finding a man” or the pictures of those from
my graduating class in their wedding finery. The downer “it will never happen
to me” that defeats my solidarity of where God has me. In those moments, Satan
has won the hand and I’m questioning God’s sovereignty, exactly the power he wants.
it’s my siblings ragging me about “finding a man” or the pictures of those from
my graduating class in their wedding finery. The downer “it will never happen
to me” that defeats my solidarity of where God has me. In those moments, Satan
has won the hand and I’m questioning God’s sovereignty, exactly the power he wants.
It’s not always easy to be single. Especially when it feels
as though there is no light at the end of the hopeless tunnel.
as though there is no light at the end of the hopeless tunnel.
But I’d rather be single, growing and loving in Christ, then
married to the man He doesn’t want for me. It can seem easy to settle when
we’re hopeless in our present. But the present doesn’t last. Our future does.
And what we do in our present affects everything about our future. It’s praying
for wisdom. Smiling at the people that are always asking about your “love life”
and telling them: God’s got this.
married to the man He doesn’t want for me. It can seem easy to settle when
we’re hopeless in our present. But the present doesn’t last. Our future does.
And what we do in our present affects everything about our future. It’s praying
for wisdom. Smiling at the people that are always asking about your “love life”
and telling them: God’s got this.
Casey
Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school.
She lives in rural Eastern Oregon in a town more populated with cows than
people. Taking the words and stories God has placed on her heart and
putting them on paper is one of her highest passions in life. Casey is a member
of ACFW and an assistant to the
ACFW Carol Awards. You can connect with her through her personal
blog, Writing
for Christ and her writing related group blog, The Writer’s Alley
Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school.
She lives in rural Eastern Oregon in a town more populated with cows than
people. Taking the words and stories God has placed on her heart and
putting them on paper is one of her highest passions in life. Casey is a member
of ACFW and an assistant to the
ACFW Carol Awards. You can connect with her through her personal
blog, Writing
for Christ and her writing related group blog, The Writer’s Alley
*photocredit: freedigitalphotos
That is such a mature attitude for someone so young. Good for Carrie. I recently read that the brain doesn't even fully finish developing until the age of 24. Huge decisions like marriage should probably hold off until your brain is done cooking.
LOL, good incentive to keep on hangin' on. 😉 Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Brett!
Casey, I love your honesty in this post. My extended family is filled with cousins who waited for the right person even when it meant waiting until they were in their late twenties and thirties. They are very happy and starting their families. God really DOES have this.
In a relationship or not, we all have the tough task of learning who we are. I'm still finding aspects of my personality I didn't realize were there!
Yes, learning who *I* am has been a huge challenge for me at times. I like to think I'm ready tomorrow, but if I'm TRULY honest with myself, I'm not. But I know God's going to continue turning that wheel, it's just my job to be flexible clay. 🙂
"God's got this"! I need to say this in several areas of my life:) Every time satan tries to whisper his lies, just to lean over and say that to him, "yeah, but God's so totally got this, so hush"…a little reminder to myself and satan that God's totally in control and He's already won, right?
AMEN!!
'Nuff said. 🙂
Sometimes I think that God wants you all to Himself before He gives you away… He's got big plans for you!
Love the "God's got this"!
I love that…and I also pray that God's Prince Charming is deeply in love with Christ…and me only second. What a heavenly gain!
You have such a sweet spirit, Casey, and I love your honesty and wisdom. Yes, God's got this…all of it…and I love that about HIm.
I love that about Him too, Melissa. And yeah, just so ya know…you inspire me. In many, many ways!
So fun to see Case here! Girl, I love your attitude. I've told you before and I'll tell you again–God's got some great plans for you. They're worth the wait. God brought Mike into my life when I least expected it. His plans are good. So good.
YES, I've seen it over and over in just the little things of my life, God's plans are awesome. I need to remind myself of that even tonight as I'm struggling with disappointment over something that MIGHT happen. Hasn't happened yet, so I need to let God have this. And yeah…got that awesome little reminder off your blog. So thank YOU! 😀
Wise beyond your years, Casey! Waiting is so hard, especially when it feels like the world is speeding right past you and you are still stuck in neutral. My brother is 29 and still single and we have these conversations that make him roll his eyes at me. I was married young, so what could I possibly know about it? Well, I know matters of the heart. I've known soul-deep heartache and those hopeless feelings of loneliness and waiting on God. Trust me, Case, God has the right one and it will be more than worth the wait. Thanks for willing to be vulnerable and for always being sweet! He's gonna be a very lucky man. 🙂
Ah…29 not THAT much older than me, introduce me? Hahaha!
Thank you for your kind comment, and I agree with you 100%. I'm going to keep trusting He's got the right one and I just pray he considers himself blessed… 🙂
This was great! My high of the day. I have already shared your story and inspiration with several beautiful people today. I married at 36 and was blessed with our only daughter at 42. The best to you, Casey -all in God's time. He does indeed have this covered. Blessings always!
Oh my goodness, thank you for your uber-kind comment Marylane! I'm so glad it was an encouraging post and I hope it is to other young women.
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