Years ago, the church Rachel, Sarah, and I attended did a sermon series on parenting. We all three skipped out and had some great fellowship at Starbucks instead of sitting through the services. It was a painful experience because there was an unspoken feeling that the three of us should be preparing ourselves for the inevitability of childrearing. While all of us would love a married future, it's kinda like rubbing salt in a wound for a single woman to tell her to get ready to parent when she doesn't even have a boyfriend.
Mother's Day is another awkward time for most single people in the church (or even married non-parents). I thought about how this blog needed something on Mother's Day to celebrate all the non mothers out there, but I'll be honest, I didn't get around to it because I was being celebrated that day. I've mentioned before how much I love my family group, but they stepped it up a notch last Sunday by celebrating the moms and the three single women in the group.
I'll be honest, I set the bar low. I mean, I've had so many awkward and uncomfortable comments that I just didn't want to get my hopes up for being made to feel special on a day for women who've given birth. However, the dads and kids stepped it up and straight up celebrated grown women who invest in the lives of younger people. I fit that category, and there was nothing weird about it. I've taught seven of the kids in this family group, and I'll forever call them mine.
Rachel and I first wanted to write a book (that became this blog) to call out the church on how they made singleness something less than married life. I think we'd both still be quick to admit the church doesn't get everything right, but there're moments that are getting better. This week was one for me. I've never had a previous experience where I felt like I was celebrated for where I am at in life with out a single comment to make me feel guilty for not being married or on my way to having my own kids. It's great. I love where I'm at in life right now, and I think it's wonderful to be celebrated for it.
