It's the time of year where it can feel like singleness is seen as more of an issue than otherwise. There's always times and places where not having a partner feel a bit awkward, but for some reason at this time of year, it's even more so than usual.
But the season of invitations sent to "you and your partner" has begun. These invitations even come from those who know you're single.
It's the season of walking alone into holiday parties that are completely set up for couples.
Or of net even being invited to things with people you usually spend lots of time with simply because you're single.
And that means it can be a season of more alone-ness. Of more feeling on the outside. A season of the pain of exclusion or differentness, all while being told to merry and joyful.
It can be hard. There have been times when I've wanted nothing more than to turn the pages on the calendar quickly so we can get past this all and things go back to normal.
As I've wrestled through how to navigate this time of year, I was looking for practical tips and tools. I wanted a clear way to manager this without the hurt. But, that's not what I found.
Instead, I found myself drawn to the familiar Christmas story. To Mary and Joseph's experience. An unwed couple. Mary pregnant and saying it was from God. In their culture, this was absolutely scandalous. It left them on the outside - excluded.
All they could do was trust God and hold onto His promise to them.
As I reflected on this. I felt like God was reminding me that he sees and cares for the one who feels outside. Even though things didn't look like Mary and Joseph would have expected and it was hard, they weren't alone. God saw them and cared for them.
He does the same for us.
While being single during the holiday season is different than Mary and Joseph's story, the reminder that God sees us through it is valuable and important.
Whatever our situation, however we feel in it, God sees us and is with us.
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