Tuesday, November 11, 2008

in the mood....


This time of year puts me in the mood for romance. The colors. The music. The foods. The holidays. One problem. There's no one to share it with. Ok. Clarification. No guy.

I love my girlfriends. Like most, I would assert that mine are the best. Each one shares a unique part of who I am. I shared a delightful evening with two of my favorites last Thursday. We ate at Panera and people watched and told stories and laughed and analyzed to our hearts content. We got to discussing this very topic.

I thought about how our longings are echoes of what could have been in Eden, but also what is possible when we live well and wholly. We decided that instead of sitting around moping, binging on chocolate and missing the beauty of this season, we were going to discover our own romance. We are loved by the Creator of the universe. The guy who commands nations with his word, brings life with his touch, and died to set us free.

I read this in my Bible a few minutes ago.

"God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors (and boy are my parents are a living exhibit of this). And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious life blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but now, in these final days, he was sent to the earth for all to see. And he did this for you."

A few paragraphs back it says, "You love him even though you have never seen him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressable joy. Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls."

He (the guy writing, Peter) is so right. Ever love someone for no reason? You just can't help yourself? I have. I also love this being I have never seen. Most days probably couldn't give a succinct answer why. I just do. I keep talking to him. I want to figure him out. I get frustrated when I can't but at the same time love the mystery it offers.

So my girls and I made a plan. In the retelling, it sounds odd, corny, for lack of better description. But when you want something that's unavailable, you either waste time in the wanting or you replace the desire with something viable. We decided to wait well for our guys. We decided to hope with joy. We decided to find romance in the One who knows us best. Over the next weeks until the end of the year, we are going to do one thing per week to pursue romance.

week 1 - this week) Go on a date. Go to a coffee shop, or park, anywhere different than usual. Just sit and be with God in that new place.
week 2) Ask a new get-to-know-you question. Write it down and listen for the answer.
week 3) Write a love letter or poem to God describing all the things you love best.
week 4) Call another girlfriend and tell them all the things you've discovered so far.
week 5) Reread one of his love letters - the same one - every day.
week 6) Go for a walk together either in a crowded city or alone in the country.
week 7 - Christmas) Do something together for someone else. Ask God to reveal his heart for someone in a specific way then make them something or do something unexpected for them that reaches that need.
week 8) Create something (art/photos/food) to represent the aspect of God that He revealed over these last couple months.

I plan to do this with my friends over hot drinks and of course, chocolate.
Save the date girls.
Saturday evening. January 3. 6pm-?
God. Love. Art.

4 comments:

Stephen's Family said...

Oh Rachel, I remember well reading your post my single life, not getting married until I was 29. I remember by only the grace of God that in times of yearning God drew me to Himself and even though they were hard and long times, what I learned about God and what he taught me of myself then, has blessed me so much through my married years. I will be praying for you through this 8 week period that He will be your all, your joy, your hope. He's pursuing you all! What a blessing to have godly women to walk with you, and I think of the example you are to the generation following you
With Love

Bonnie said...

Rachel, I was single until I was 34. I too remember those days being very difficult when all I wanted was to be married and be a Mom. I was not a christian and though I trust God's sovereign timing, I can't help but wish that I had your perspective in that time as I feel now that I wasted those years on selfish desires! I love your heart and your example in this to want to grow in your intimacy with God. I will be praying for you and the other singles, that this time will be particularly encouraging to you. You and the other singles in our church are an inspiration; even to an old married lady!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I had a comment all typed in last time and it wouldn't let me post it. What did I say? something to the effect of I agree with you and I'm "in". And perhaps something too about how I know it will be a time of stretching for me, so I'll be thanking you and the other girls for it in the weeks to come. Also, were you realizing it would be December the week you said to take a walk? I'm sure you were...but that will be a requirement for my guy - no taking walks outside just because when it's freezing cold unless there's snow on the ground!

Keri

Jona Minotto said...

aww such lovely posts! I enjoy them so much :) I am so thankful for you! thanks for posting about the pursuit for romance packed! lol you make is sound so cool, not cheezy at all.