What to Do While You're Waiting for Marriage (PART 2)

The Lord gave me so much to write about last week, I had to split it up into two posts! Last Tuesday, we began the conversation about practical things we can do while we're waiting for marriage. Like, actual, meaningful steps we can take to make the most of this season before we get married, and I was actually so encouraged (and I pray you were too!). This week, we're going to be continuing that conversation, and I'm truly so excited!

The whole point of this two part series is for us to remember that no part of our waiting is wasted. God uses every day, every struggle, every moment of discouragement, to transform and prepare us for the next season. And honestly, it's serving as a reminder to me that there is still so much joy and life to be lived right where I'm at, and I don't want to lose sight of that. I don't want to skip over this short season of my life because I'm consumed by what's to come.

With that all that being said, let's jump back in!

5. Serve and do ministry.

I mentioned last week that while we're not married, we have a unique opportunity to focus on community. We also have a unique opportunity to do ministry! Paul talks in 1 Corinthians about how we get to focus our attention completely on the Lord while we're single, and that is so true. We can obviously still serve the Lord and do ministry while we're married, and we should, but our attention will be more split, since we'll be concerned with how to serve our spouse as well as our community or church.

Not only do we have more of a capacity to serve, it's also really good for us to take our eyes off of ourselves. Intentionally blessing others is a great strategy to combat discontenment, because we stop focusing so much on what we wish our life was look like, and think about how we can make someone else's life a little better. It helps us to stay present and grateful, when it would be way easier for us to make an idol out of a future season.

Use this time to start a Bible study or a women's group, where you can not only foster community, but pour into other women and support their walk with Christ. Serve at a youth group or in the nursery at church. Mentor a girl younger than you or visit the residents in the nursing home. Make food for a family who is going through a hard time or bless the homeless people in your community. There are so many possibilities - you just have to be open and obedient to where the Lord is leading you!

6. Remember all of the answered prayers you're currently living in.

I think one of the enemy's biggest traps is to get us to focus on all the prayers we're still waiting for answers on, and to get us to forget all of the ways God has already worked and provided abundantly. It's so easy to become discontent and crave the next best thing, but that is not the mentality God is calling us to live in. We are to rejoice in all circumstances and remain content, no matter if we are in need or with plenty (Philippians 4:11-13).

When we choose to be grateful, it makes it easier for us to find the joy in the season we're currently in rather than rushing to the next season. While you're waiting to get married, keep track of all the answered prayers you're currently living in. Every day, write down ways that you see God at work or the blessings around you. Meditate on them and make it a habit to worship the Lord daily, and your heart posture will slowly begin to change. Our goal shouldn't be to hurry to get married, but to trust in the Lord's timing and joyfully walk at His pace (not our own) until the right time comes, and for me, fixing my eyes on all I have to be thankful for is crucial.

7. Start a new hobby and find what fills up your cup.

God has been reminding me so much of the joy in my every day life. This isn't just a waiting season, it's my college season, my dating season, my year of being 19! I want to use this time to learn about myself, try new things, and figure out what fills up my cup. I'm so busy, but I want to create space in my schedule to rest and recharge. We're using this time to get to know our partner more, but we should be doing the same about ourselves! Take the time to experiment with new crafts, cook new foods, binge watch a new series, or join a club. Whatever interests you, do that thing! It's so important that we find a balance between pouring into others and making sure our cup is still full. This is a time that we can try all the things, fail, and try again.

8. Make memories!

So much of today's post has been about finding the joy in the every day and in this season, and I think it really comes down to continue to make memories. Don't just waste this time because you aren't married yet, keep making plans, initiating, and having fun. Take road trips with your friends, plan new dates to try with your partner, and enjoy every minute. This piece of advice honestly encourages me so much, because our life won't start when we're married, graduated, or have a job - our life is happening right now, and I don't want to miss a second of it.

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God has been so gracious to me as I go through days and weeks that are harder to get married than others, and I'm so thankful for His patience. I know that to some, this probably sounds like such a silly problem, but I'm really working on being present with where I'm at instead of rushing into the next season. Isn't that a temptation no matter what season we're in? I'm really encouraged by these tidbits He's given us in the past two posts of ways that we can make the most of our every day lives and prepare for marriage.

I want you to know that not a single day is wasted in God's plan, and He is doing big things in your life! Continue trusting and surrendering all of it to Him, even when you wish you were living according to your own timeline instead of His, and watch how He reveals to you how He's working.

Is there anything I missed that we should be doing while we wait for marriage? Let me know down in the comments below; I love to learn with you!