Women of Joy

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Written by Candace Friday, 30 May 2008 00:00

Have you ever noticed that in Christian culture, people seem to get married young? And that it's often assumed that you must be doing something wrong and aren't living in your calling if you’ve gotten past the age of 18, early 20s, or even 30s and still aren't married?

Maybe your circle of friends isn’t quite like that. But I'm sure that all of us have felt the pressure at one time or another.

I know I for one have gone through many discouraging moments, wondering why exactly God’s chosen to prolong my period of singleness past the age I'd picked (23) with no end in sight.

But thank God for His awesome presence at the place I spend my days working. He’s blessed me beyond reason by bringing women across my path – sweet, smiling, single women who’s faces literally gleam with joy & happiness (the picture doesn’t accurately depict just how far their grins stretch or how deep their inner beauty is). These women have lead me to believe that maybe just maybe, this period of singleness doesn't have to be a curse, it can be a gift!

One particular "Sighting of a Woman of Joy" occurred during a meeting a few months ago. Everyone was going around the room introducing themselves as the wife of so-and-so and/or the mother of so-and-so and it dawned on me that I had nothing to add to the expected "position & status" introduction by "I have a dog."

When it got around to one of the women, she loudly proclaimed that she was single, and she was happy! And as I looked at her face and saw it shining with joy, I realized she wasn't lying. That statement changed me. It eventually lead to this article as God put more Women of Joy across my path and I decided it was important to share their stories.

Many of them still hope to be married one day, but they’ve learned how to be content in doing God’s work in the here in now instead of focusing on the unforeseen future. That alone my friends, shows that it’s possible to be happy even if you don’t have a spouse or even a significant other in your life. Read on and discover how they've learned to be happy despite their circumstances!