Some of you have wondered if I do not speak so much of God’s part in this affair that I remove human responsibility. This is not the case.

It is not that we can do nothing but if you are like me you have done an awful lot and seen little fruit. This is why, for me, the well-meaning phrases only open old wounds. This is why the many books that promise several steps, or worse, several easy steps to finding a mate—bother me. This is what I call the myth of simplicity.

The myth of simplicity suggests that relationships—getting married—should be simple. But simple is what you expect when you see the words “plug and play” and no relationship is plug and play. Simple is what you expect when you pick up a guide for “dummies” and the beauty of Christian marriage was never meant for dummies.

The myth of simplicity suggests that relationships should be simple. The very question, “Why aren’t you married yet?” seems to demand an easy answer, a simple answer—an answer that doesn’t require long moments of soul searching and prayer. Nobody can accept the simplest of all answers, “I don’t know.” So we stutter, shuffle our feet, and answer, “Well because…” And whatever we might say is simply designed to appease the simple question—to bring a moment’s reprieve from the questioner.

Those who ask seem to presume that it is possible to boil all of life down into a few simple phrases. They ask because they are not comfortable with our singleness. And to be honest, we are not always comfortable with our singleness. This is why we seek the easy answers—any way out.

The myth of simplicity suggests that coming to understand the “why” of singleness would mean the end of singleness. It is the scientific approach to relationships, the natural approach to relationships. I am not suggesting that we cannot improve ourselves. I am not suggesting that there aren’t perfectly good things we can do to be more “fit” for marriage. But I deny that these things, as good as they are, work with mathematical precision.

If you become mature you do not automatically find a husband or wife but please—mature.

If you give up that sin you may not immediately find a husband or wife but please—give up that sin.

The myth of simplicity suggests that relationships should be simple and in a perfect world they would be. I suppose in a perfect world all things would be simple; the ground would not resist us, childbirth would be less painful, and we would be naked without shame. But the answer to the question “Why am I not married?” is a little difficult to give. I could sooner understand the goings and coming of the Spirit of God or catch and hold the wind in my frail hands.

No woman has ever called me ugly and all have considered me a man of faith. Still some have thought me too radical in my faith. Some have balked because I did not make enough money or lacked power while others were intimidated by my erudition (look it up). I have been too much of something and too little of some other thing to the point that I have little faith in the changes I can make to win a wife.