'Singled' Out

Lately, I've felt 'singled' out. Truly, as though because I'm a single mother, I'm a single woman, that somehow, I'm not worthy. I've felt that I don't have as much to contribute to any cause; that I don't matter as much...in the eyes of the world.

I'm not part of a couple. I can't go on double-dates with other couples. I don't have a 'better half' to fix things around my house or to send on errands when I just don't feel like going to the grocery store. I don't have someone else that can entertain the kids while I take 10 minutes to myself.

I know that in the eyes of the world, I may not be 'complete.' But the truth is that in God's eyes and in His viewpoint, I matter just as much as everyone else, if not more...simply because I'm doing it all by myself.

I've been reading through my bible and I'm on course to finish it in a year. I just completed the book of Joshua this morning. I noticed something as I was reading this book. This book is powerful stuff! In the book, Joshua and his armies battle neighboring lands in order to receive the Promised Land that The Lord is to deliver to them. Therefore, it's only natural that you would find uplifting and encouraging words. There are 24 chapters and 658 verses in this book.

Of these 658 verses, there is some repetition. Where there is repetition, you know God is trying to get a message across to His people.

In the book of Joshua, you find the phrase, "Be strong and courageous" or some variation of, six times! It's in the following passages: 1:6, 1:7, 1:9, 1:18, 10:25, 23:6.

In the book of Joshua, you find the phrase, "Do not be afraid" or some variation of, five times! It's in the following passages: 1:9, 8:1, 10:8, 10:25, 11:6.

In the book of Joshua, you find the phrase, "Do not be discouraged" or some variation of, three times. It's in the following passages: 1:9, 8:1, 10:25.

Now, I don't know about you, but it seems that God is trying to get a message across to Joshua (and you and me!). All of these phrases and the many times they are repeated, indicate to me, that I should be strong and courageous and that I should not be afraid or discouraged in my 'single-ness.'

I shouldn't be discouraged that I am 'singled' out, because it means that My God has taken notice of me! I shouldn't be afraid that I've been set apart; after all, aren't we told that to be 'holy' means to be set apart? And being 'singled' out is to be set apart.

YES! I think that I will begin to rejoice in being 'singled' out! I will begin to shout for JOY when I remember that My God has thought enough of me to 'single' me out; to set me apart, to consecrate me for His use and His purposes...to make me holy for His glory.