Modern Romance: Advice for Dating, Singleness, and Relationshipsಮಾದರಿ

If You’re Single, Waiting on Marriage, This Is For You

I began writing the song, Seven Days After Hello two weeks before I met my husband, Adam. I already had the bare melody and chord structure. When he came into my life, I was given the lyrics. Seven days after our first “hello,” we began dating. Three months later, we were engaged. Throughout that time, I continued writing this song, adding to it piece by piece as our relationship developed. This is the song we danced to at our wedding. Fact: if I could go back in time and tell my single self that story, she never would’ve believed me.

Love is a whirlwind; it’s exhilarating! It’s like the best ride at Disney World. However, if you’ve ever been to a theme park, you know it begins with waiting. You wait. And wait. And wait. It’s hot, your feet hurt, and it’s boring. To pass the time, your mind runs rampant with questions: How long will I have to wait? Will I ever find someone? How will I know? How will I decide? If I do find someone, how will it change my life?

The questions never end. Boredom turns into fear. Fear turns into defensiveness, apprehension, and confusion. Ultimately, you feel stuck. Waiting on marriage. You’re stuck in time until this mystery is solved—until you finally meet this person and can start your life.

My best advice for anyone in the waiting-on-marriage period is to ask God to hold your place in line, and then go explore the park! There is so much you can do while single. You are a free agent for God’s work! The enemy wants you waiting in line—bored, sore-footed, and sunburned. But God wants to take you everywhere and show you all the sights and sounds!

**Spoiler** If you leave the line, if you trust God with your place in line, you’ll eventually find it’s not just some thrill ride you’re longing for. What you really want is a companion to explore the park with. God will be that companion, and it will be the adventure of your life. He’ll fill that place of longing with all-sufficiency. And when you’re whole, complete, and satisfied in your companionship with Him, there may come a time when you meet another companion—a whole, complete, satisfied individual who also left that dreadful line. It’s time to stop waiting on marriage and start running after God.

I had dreams in my heart that were dormant for years. I wanted to pursue my passion for music and ministry, write and record another album, and direct a documentary! I felt my singleness was holding me back. But the truth was, it was a gift. Think of being single as your springboard, launching you into your dreams with all your heart. It was through pursuing my dreams to make music that I met my husband. He is now my co-adventurer! We are aligned in our callings, passions, and interests in a unique way because we both got out of line and met while exploring the park.

—Brianna

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