Not Forgotten

Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you. (Isa. 49:15)

Thirty-six and single, that’s me. I didn’t think I’d be single at this age, and honestly, until I turned thirty-three or thirty-four, it didn’t really bother me. But now it bothers me. All of my friends are married, and some even have teenagers. And now that I’m on Facebook, reconnecting with high school friends, I’m confronted with the fact that I’m much further behind the pack as far as marriage and family are concerned.

I envy their children and the struggles and triumphs of parenthood. I envy their partnerships, connections, inside jokes, stolen glances, and gracious gestures they exchange. I even envy their arguments over who picks up the milk or who will file the taxes—at least they have an option. I have no one to share the responsibilities of life—no one to help shoulder the load of the everyday mundane.

I was explaining all of this to the Lord a while back, and as I prayed, I was impressed with the expression: I am not forgotten (see Luke 12:6). As soon as I realized the fullness of this sentence, I repeated it out loud, praising Him: “I am not forgotten. God, You see me, You know me, and You have not forgotten me.” What a comfort this simple sentence is to me. It represents the complex and intense passion God has for me. It lets me know that my story isn’t over, and God is walking through it with me.

For singles, it’s often too easy to envy ourselves into depression. Satan can easily play on our fears and turn our focus onto what we don’t have. We must be constantly in the Word, diligent in staying close to God, and deliberately thankful for His blessings and care.