Ever wish you had a time travel machine? I have. There are so many things I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self so she could do things differently. That’s why I felt the need to write this post. If there’s one thing I wish someone had told me years ago it’s this:
You don’t need to wait for a ring or even a boyfriend to see the world or live a passionate, fun, and fulfilling life.
Sis, you already have a life. You ought to be living it to the fullest NOW.
But so many times when you’re raised in Christian culture, or some strict, conservative denominations, people can have you thinking that being a good Christian is about staying under the “covering” of your family/father and remaining all “buttoned up” until you’re married. After marriage is when the real fun starts.
But I’ll never forget when I was listening to a sermon by Dr. Tony Evans and he said something along the lines of “If you’re a single person and you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.” Upon hearing that, my ears perked right up like the antenna on a bug’s head.
Up until that point, I had been patiently waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting on my spouse. I figured once I was “married,” I could do all of the fun stuff with my spouse. But then, a crazy thing happened. I never got married. I just kept getting…older.
When Life Throws You Curve Balls…
My early 20s turned into mid-20s which turned into late 20s, which turned into early 30s, and then into late 30s. Years were passing me by. Beaches and all inclusive resorts were missing the joy of my presence because I was waiting for my husband to come along to do the fun stuff with me.
Sis, can I be honest? Having a loving husband is such a special, sweet, beautiful thing. But if you’re waiting on a husband to enjoy and live your life — and your singleness season lasts way longer than you expected — you will end up missing out on some of the best years of your life!!!
Don’t get it twisted.
Now is the time. Now is the time to go:
- Before the shared Google calendar with your husband.
- Before the tiny humans with sticky fingers.
- Before you’re spending your vacation days coordinating family reunions.
Don’t wait until you’re engaged or married to unwrap the gift that is your life. This season, specifically your single season, is a gift.
And if no one else has said it: you’ve left it under the tree for far too long.
Now I know what some of you may be wondering?
“Isn’t it kind of lonely to travel by yourself?”
It doesn’t have to be. Part of the reason the thought of traveling alone fills you with dread is because you’ve never learned to enjoy your own company — or worse, you’ve never learned to enjoy God’s company.
God wants to be close to you.
He wants to be your father, your friend, your constant, and your companion. But God, like a consummate gentleman, won’t come in unless you let Him. God is close to you even now. And whether you’re:
- Sitting on a pew at your local church
- Participating in missions work in Guatemala
- Climbing up Macchu Picchu
- Sharing an encouraging word with the lady at the all-inclusive resort you’re staying at
- Ordering lunch in broken Italian, one thing remains true,
God is literally right there.
When you start to genuinely and passionately live your life, the world becomes your oyster, your classroom, your playground, and your sanctuary.
Why Travel Now?
Because You Can. And frankly? Because you should. Yes, I said should. Why is that?
Right now, you have freedom that may not come again to you in the same way.
- You can travel on your own schedule.
- You can book a last-minute trip without negotiating PTO with your job or having to run it by your spouse.
- You can spend hours at a library, bookstore, park, or museum with no one rushing you.
- You can eat gelato for dinner or cold pizza for breakfast with no one to answer to (but God, and He won’t say anything…ask me how I know 🤭).
In other words, you ought to take advantage of the time you have now because you may never get it quite like this again post-marriage.
Now am I saying that marriage or starting a family are bad things? Heck no!
God-willing, there will be a time for family vacations, the pitter-patter of tiny feet, and dirty diapers in your future. But right now? After God, this time is solely and predominantly for you.
Don’t wait for life to start. Live it now.
Now I know you may be thinking, “But it costs money to travel? What if I don’t have a dollar tree in my backyard? Read on for some tips/tricks to keep in mind.
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