And All Other Things

It’s that day.

The day that falls on the 14th day of the 2nd month every year.

I joke and say it’s Singles Awareness Day.

But it’s not that much different than any other day for me.

I have been aware of my singleness every day for 28 years… haha

Although I have also nicknamed it Bleak Sunday (or any day on which the day falls).

Anyway, one would think I would be extra depressed on such a day, especially surrounded by marrieds and engageds and daters and such.

I would be lying if I said my status did not suck.  But today I had a happy day. Hearing and reading about other couples’ happiness. Yep, it’s tough to be reminded of my singledom, but it’s cool seeing people happy.

For instance, my friend Dana. She and her boyfriend were unable to get together today because they both had to work. They will make it up on Tuesday. But her boyfriend sent her flowers and a card that read something like this:

[front of card] There is nothing sweet or sexy about this card [inside of card] except for the person reading it.

If that does not spell cute, what does?

And I know that I am constantly quoting and referring to this blog. And I am not a stalker, I promise. I just loved the entry found here.

I talked to Dana on the phone and read Bianca’s entry all within seconds. And their happiness just made my day.

Yep, it’s hard to be single happy in the face of everybody’s couple happy.

But I said hard, not impossible.

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

Proverbs 15:30

I discovered the Mars Hill Church iPhone app through this beautiful lady’s tweet. I downloaded it and so far love it. I had heard of the church before, but this was the first time I got to hear the teaching/preaching.

I started with the series on Luke, entitled “Luke’s Gospel: Investigating the Man Who Is God.” I loved, loved, LOVED the first episode, but at the end of it, I just so happened to scroll down and saw a series called, “Redeeming Ruth.” Of course, I then started listening to that one, me being Ruth and all (don’t worry, I’ll will definitely go back to the Luke series and you should too).

One part that struck me in the episode was the descriptions of Ruth and Orpah, Naomi’s daughters in law. Both were ready to leave their native Moab and travel back to Bethleham with Naomi. Leaving their families and all that was familiar to them. But after just a little bit of prodding, one decided to turn back and return to her homeland. Orpah.

One cannot really blame her. Although she married a Jewish man, she was living in her hometown, where she felt safe and secure. Essentially, where everybody knew her name. She probably proclaimed her love for God with her lips, but at the first sign of “freedom” she took it, abandoning Him and her new family and fleeing back home to what she knew. Fleeing back to her gods. She was a pagan pretending to be a Christian (well, before Christ), but abandoning Him when things got difficult.

I don’t judge. Is it not easier to remain where you are comfortable than to step into discomfort? Or what is known as earthly discomfort? What she did is what most of us would do. Right? She is only human.

And then there was Ruth. She obviously took her vow to God very seriously. She abandoned all that was familiar to her, to accompany her mother in law – not her birth mother, but her mother by marriage – to her hometown. She would know nobody. She would be alone with this older woman with no other people to call friends. And if that wasn’t enough, she vowed to Naomi, that she would take her people as her own and take her God as her own. That is amazing. Unlike Abraham, God never spoke directly to Ruth (thanks Pastor Mark) so she was ready to accept God by pure faith. Which one of us can say that we would do that?

The bible says that we are to drop everything and follow Jesus. But how many times do we make excuses for not following Him wholeheartedly? Without reservation. It’s our human nature.

And I know I will stumble. Many more times in my life. But God is there to help me stand and the Bible is there to support my walk.

I strive to be more like Ruth.

In more than name.

I’m not going to lie. It’s gonna be tough.

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you

or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,

and where you stay I will stay. Your people

will be my people and your God my God.

ruth 1:16

Anybody who knows me knows I want to be an actress and have wanted to be since I can remember (ok, I think I have started many posts with this, but bear with me). Slightly fewer know that I want to own my own business(es) because I cannot see myself working for somebody else forever. Sometimes I feel discouraged and believe my brain tells me to “be serious” or “be real.” Sometimes I feel that I will be stuck doing what I have to and not what I want to. But then I am bombarded with inspiration. Things/People that show me that I must continue with my dreams. ‘Cause I can achieve them. That they are possible. And I think that this year will be the year. 2010. I hope that by September, I will be doing what I want, full time. But meanwhile, here is a list of my current inspirations:

Kelsey Vanderhorst – KV Bijou

Kelsey started her business about a year ago. She quit her job, put her head down and worked on her dream. Where is she today? Making jewelry for the Sundance Film Festival! Ummm… what?! Such a tremendous inspiration.

DJ QPid

This guy is living his dream. Doing what he wants and loving it. The road may not have always been smooth, but he is living his passion. And loving it. The operative phrase.

Bianca Juarez – In the Name of Love

This woman of God combines everything: her love of the Lord and her love for people. She does this and feels honored. But one cannot even begin to imagine how many people she has touched.

Jasmine Star

Randomly she is Bianca’s sister. Twins too. Look at her pictures and you’ll realize that I don’t need to say anymore. She is living her dream. In an industry that people constantly knock. How many times have aspiring photogs been told that “you can’t do that for a living.”??

Dammy Ogunseitan – Reach Magazine

Who says, one day, “I’m going to start my own magazine” and then does it??? Come on! And, this is not his first.

Sandra-Joy Unaegbu – Joyful Photography

Ok, she’s my sister, but she is freaking talented. She has the balls (ooops do I say that? …umm… sorry kids) to pursue what she wants to. Again in the face of opposition. That’s quite more than I have been able to do so far. She hasn’t been a photog for long, but her work looks like she has been doing it for life. Seriously talented. Contact her now because she will get too big for you soon!

Dawn Davis

I love the fact that she gave up her job as an accountant. She gave up her “real” job to do something she loves. I love the “About” section primarily where she says:

I don’t say this to boast, I say this because I believe!  I believe that if I can do this, so can you.  You can live the life you want you just need to believe in yourself, work hard, and move in a positive direction.  Why not DREAM BIG? I do!

(And before anybody tsk tsks me about the newageyness about “believing in myself” she also says she deeply believes in our Lord).

Frankly. I will do what I must. I cannot do what I “have to” for the rest of my life. I will to quit my “real” job. I will do what I want to and what makes me happy. If I find myself doubting, I just remind myself of this list of people. It they can do it.

So can I.

Trust in the LORD
with all your heart
and lean not
on your own understanding;
in all your ways
acknowledge him,
and he will make
your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6