Single for the HolidaysSample

MAKE THE HALLMARK MOVIES JEALOUS

What makes a good Hallmark movie? Besides the charm and dashing good looks of the main characters, the reason why we love these cheesy movies so much is that: they're predictable. We know how the story is going to end after the first five minutes when the protagonist gets stranded in that little country town and her mechanic just happens to be her high school sweetheart. 

Maybe you actually hate Christmas Hallmark movies (you know, because your heart is made of ice). But deep down, everyone wants to know how the story ends. The problem is, life isn't as perfect as the Hallmark channel. Unless you live in a snow-globe, your love story is still pending with mystery and nuance that has you on the edge of your seat begging God to give you a glimmer of hope that you won't be single forever. Am I right? Perhaps you, too, have submitted your request for a North Pole miracle. I mean, it worked for little Suzie on Miracle on 34th St. 

But here's the thing: predictability is overrated. The best stories are the most unpredictable with plot twists and multiple climaxes that keep you curious and wanting more. I'm not saying God is trying to make your love story more interesting by adding suspense to how you meet your person, but I am saying we really need to stop comparing our lives to Hallmark and start believing our story is actually one worth telling. 

I LOVE Ephesians 3:20 in the Passion Translation, "Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you."  Wow. God wants to take my requests, dreams, and imaginations about my future and infinitely EXCEED them! 

Are you just getting by or are you dreaming into what God could do in this holiday season? Is your imagination limited by your past pain?

The holidays may not be easy, but you weren't born for that junk. You were made for more! Embrace the resistance. Slow down your cadence of rhythmic busyness and let the process take you on a journey worthy of adventure. Travel, make new friends, get out in nature, grow deep in your relationship with Jesus, bake cookies with your nieces and nephews, turn your lonely narrative into a wild adventurous story that Hallmark can't hold a candle to. That's when the story really begins to take shape and you find the joy in the gift you've been given.

Life is full of juxtaposing seasons of longing and love. Maybe you will meet someone special at that party, or maybe you will be someone special to a lonely friend. Regardless, God is with you this holiday season and His plan for your singleness is a good one. It really is a gift and I hope you learn to love it more than fuzzy socks. 

PS. If you enjoyed this devotional and want to read the FULL story of my adventures in singleness, check out 'Single Shouldn't Suck' at Esthermarie.org