It's really funny how I came up with this topic, and why I chose to finally write about it today. I guess the time really is ripe. The bible says there's a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3. 1-8) and I believe the time is ripe for what I am about to rant on.
As secluded as one may be, we are all aware that Valentines is approaching and while (most) couples are pondering on what to do/get/plan for their significant others, some just don't put that much or any thought into it, because 'you don't need a designated day to show your love-it can be any day or everyday,' true enough. Well, I think today, it has mainly become a mass marketing strategy to get all those in a relationship to spend money on their other half. What happened to quality over quantity eh? But did you know Valentine's day was actually named after a Saint (I googled)? Saint Valentine, in fact, there was three Saints by the the name of Valentine during the time, but February 14 was designated to honor the bishop who was martyred on this day for secretly performing marriage ceremonies for young couples. During the Roman empire, Claudius II, who was ruling at the time banned marriage because he thought married men became too emotionally attached to their families and wouldn't be strong soldiers for battle. As a result, this bishop was sent to jail, and before his death, he wrote a letter to a jailor's daughter and signed it "From your Valentine" and hence, the cliche` its has become today.
So there you have it, a quick history of this supposedly romantic day. I still haven't reached my proposed topic. Okay, so I guess I want to talk about myself, hence a 'phospective' and yes, the 'time is ripe' refers to dating. No, I'm not dating if your reading this with wide eyes. I just want to share some thoughts. I guess since I've entered University or more emphasis on this school year, I've been asked the question if I have a boyfriend or if I'm dating yet? Usually these are asked by my relatives (more than often), than I have friends who are dating (or not), who ask if I'm looking, if I want to date, how's my love life, or even more directly-do I have a boy?
Sometimes I don't even know how to reply because I don't find myself thinking about this topic on a regular basis. Yes I'm aware a lot of my friends are in relationships and many people are being 'set-up' to just meet and mingle, and so in a way, I'm thinking of this topic due to the constant exposure. I think its because I'm in post secondary that people question more and more; acknowledging that the 'typical' next step after obtaining an education and finding a potential job, is marriage. I have to agree, I thought this way when I was younger too, elementary school-more school (jr/sr high)-post secondary school-work-marriage-etc... I guess to arrive at the 'marriage' state you have to meet someone along the way and seeing that school plays a big part in your life and has such big exposure to all kinds of people, its definitely the best resort. Or so you would think. Anyways, I can't avoid this topic or not think about it, and I may be voicing for others who feel this way too.
I was really surprised today though. A group of us happened to be discussing Valentine's Day, and a older leader in church, beyond my age group actually directed a question at me that made me feel taken aback. He asked, "Are you worried?" and I was like, what? me? worry about what... and he said, about finding someone since your turning twenty soon (someone had brought this up). I was like, no, why would I be? and he said, well some girls when they turn 20, they start feeling like they need to find someone or else it be too late... yadda yadda. To be honest, I know others who have blogged about being '20' and I admit I do want to date but then I realize 1) I don't know if I have time to commit to a relationship, since I don't even have time for a social life sometimes and 2) I'm not just going to throw myself on the street and hold a 'I'm single' sign, hoping that my prince charming on a while horse comes striding by and picks me up- oh yea only in my dreams & love definitely does not work that way haha.
And being a girl, I guess I always had my ideals. You know, well you don't know if your a boy, but we tend to make a lists when were younger about the requirements we look for in a guy, or play MASH and pretend whose the guy, what house, what dress, in the future. Oh those juvenile days, but recently I had a conversation with a close friend and we were on this topic, and she said we can't expect to have the ideal guy who loves God more than anything, if we are not the girl that loves God more than anything. This made me ponder on my personality, characteristics and FAITH, because if I'm not a Godly woman myself, how do I expect God to bring a Godly man in my life, right? Most christian-love workshops talk about two being on the same spiritual level and when you reach where the two should be, you meet-well this is not the case every time, I'm just generalizing. I do know rare situations where non Christians and Christians date and it works-either the boy or girl becomes expose to Christianity and actually becomes a Christian and loves and serves God. I'm sure God can work in unbelievable ways and its different for every person.
In the words of my friend,
"God is writing all of our love stories"
&
In the lyrics of Rebecca St. James' Wait for Me,
I am waiting
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