I recently went on a ministry trip with my new husband of two months. After 7 years of doing ministry as a single lady, it was very different to travel and do ministry with someone by my side. It was a blessing to have someone who could help me navigate the challenges, who had words when I was socially weary, who could protect me, who could entertain me on long train rides, and who could labor alongside me. It was beautiful to see the increase that has already come to our lives as we move forward together. 

The blessing of this season, however, make me look back at my singleness with so much gratitude. I learned so much in that time that I now carry into marriage. I did many radical things, problem-solved, developed intimacy with God, adapted to culture, started ministries, traveled to dozens of countries, and more. One great example of that was learning the local language. My husband is native to our country so, of course, speaks the language fluently. If I would have come and married him right away, I know I wouldn’t have learned the language. He would be my always-available translator, making calls, arranging transportation, conversing with ministry partners, and I would never have the necessity to make my own way with the language. The three years I spent in his country as a single woman prepared me with the communication skills I would need to thrive here long-term (and communicate with my now mother-in-law)! 

Besides preparing you for marriage, singleness in itself can be a time of joy, fun, rich relationships, and deep faith. Although I am elated I found my husband, I look back with great fondness on each day I was single. It taught me that you can flourish where you are while also desiring and believing to be somewhere else. There’s nothing wrong with longing for marriage and preparing for it. However, don’t let looking to the future make you miss the beauty of the season you’re in. God has so much He can and will accomplish in and through you right here and right now.