Singlehood: Sharpening Your Toolbox
Up until this point I have been speaking about Singlehood. The Lord has been truly pressing on my heart about this vital journey (Click on link to go to article):
"Getting TOO Comfortable with Singlehood" "The Ugly Side of Singlehood" "Singlehood: Making The Time" Now I want to shift focus into sharpening those tools that we have in our toolbox! What do you mean by toolbox? The things YOU bring to the table. During this season with GOD, we should be fine-tuning the attributes that we desire to share with our future spouse.
We often focus on what we want our spouse to be like, and the characteristics that we want them to have, but what are we doing in the mean time? Are we getting ourselves together? If we would list our “attractive strengths” would we want to date ourselves? Do we have good credit? A car? A steady job/profession? Our own place? Are we in good standing with our church home? How is our home/family life? These are the things that we should be constantly asking ourselves.
Toolbox?
When referring to a “toolbox” it usually refers to things that can fix things, and/or help to fix things. Things that contribute. Things that hold the key to solve a problem. Things that you can fall back on. Things that are essential. Things that build. We all should have a personalized “toolbox” where we can fall back on to get the job done.
(Read "Singlehood: How To Become Prey")
Speaking from a woman's perspective, Proverbs 31, speaks CLEARLY about the woman who is using the tools in her life:
"10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Literally, EVERY line is speaking about how The Proverbs 31 Woman is contributing and working, in some way. She is not a standing woman, but a serving woman. Are you truly a Proverbs 31 Woman? Are you a serving woman? Are you putting your tools to use?
These tools can be both spiritual, and physical. They are universal.
Go to the drawing board.
What are the things that you know that your future spouse (between a man and a woman) will enjoy about you?
Cooking?
Provider/Hardworking?
Patience?
What are the things that you need to work on?
Attitude?
Time management?
Cleanliness?
In The Meantime
As a woman, lady, that is waiting to be found (Proverbs 18:22), I know not to take this time in vain. I know that when HusBae comes, I need to come correct! I am not saying that I need to be perfect, but I need to be worth it. There are some things that we, separately, have to prepare on our own. Then there are some things that GOD knows that once united, we will birth out, out of each other. Your RibCage/Riblet will have keys, and access to certain facets of you, that no other “regular” person will not have. Granted, your mother and father, Pastor, teachers, and so forth, have keys as well to you, to help develop you, but every key is customized for its’ purpose. A teacher key, will not have the ability to unlock your “heart.”
"11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14, KJV). —Are you becoming bitter, hopeless? So much so that your tools are getting rusty? What is distracting you? What has your attention over GOD's? Instead of being upset that it is taking you "longer" than expected, run with it! Become a better you! Willingly fall into the Potter's hands (Isaiah 64:8)! Develop, grow, mature into that man or woman that GOD has called and created you to be! Remember, the uniting of your spouse, and you will be to glorify GOD's name! Do not let this time pass you by! Work! Work! Work!!! Throw yourself into Christ; “But seek ye first the kingdom of GOD, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33, KJV). Do so that He can reveal those things about you (Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:12). Continue to get right with GOD. Deepen the connection, and strengthen the relationship (Prayer, obedience, John 14:15)! Sow good ground with Thee Lord. Remember, the relationship you have with Christ, will be reflected in the relationship you have with your future spouse.
Have a hearty harvest. Selah...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Picture courtesy of: http://eventspectrum.com/esiwp/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-Toolbox-35082965-1024x853.jpg---edited by Rashell Selah)
