Tears of the Giraffe

I am currently reading a series of books, "The 1 Ladies Detective Agency", and in the second book (title noted above) the main character, Mma Rabotswe, a traditionally built African woman, shares her thoughts...

"It was all part of this terrible attack on people by those who had nothing better to do than to give advice on all sorts of subjects. These people, who wrote in newspapers and talked on the radio, were full of good ideas as to how to make people better...They looked at what you were eating and told you it was bad for you...and to make matters worse, they often said that if you did not heed their warnings, you would die...There were two main targets, she thought. First were the fat people, who were now getting quite used to a relentless campaign against them; and then there were men."

I agree with her assessment, but dare say she overlooked another group of people constantly being attacked by those who think they can make your life better: single people.

Since it seems that while in your early twenties there are few topics that occupy an equal amount of time, it is sufficient to say that I have had my fair share of conversations on the subjects of dating, love, and marriage. I have also seen a ridiculous amount of media and books devoted to the subjects, reducing it to a science of finding the right person, keeping them, feeling like your life has started once you are in a relationship...etc.

I feel like one of the few, who somehow is over two years out of the college scene, without any current romantic ties. I know that most of you reading this do not fall in the same category...you are seriously dating, happily married, pregnant, or already a family...but I just need to publicly declare that we have spent too little time talking about the benefits of being happy on your own. Single.

I am not going to get on a soap box against dating, or say that I think I am better off alone, or even say that there are not times when I long for companionship (...mostly this comes when I see all the people making out by the Eiffel Tower, or strolling along in the romantic parts of the city...) I like men and am not trying to scare off any potential suitors. I just want to say that I like who I am right now.

Maybe it is because I am fiercely independent and like to do things my way, maybe I have a fear of being hurt again, or maybe it is because it was asked to give up dating for these two years to focus on my work...I am not certain of the reason, but I am glad.

And realizing this has made me wonder...does this mean I am a freak for not doing what it seems everyone else is doing at my age? does this mean I am going to be single for the rest of my life? does this mean I have believed the lie for years that I cannot be truly happy until I am loved by the right man? --Maybe. But I dare say that it has little to do with me being abnormal (no laughs please)...and everything to do with learning to walk in the plans God has for my life. If He desires for me to marry, then I will be most grateful. But what I want most of all is a life that is pleasing to Him, full of peace in my heart, come what may.

So, let the attack cease. You heard it here folks, singleness is a good thing.