Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Not Alone Series: Fave Resources



What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't combine the Not Alone Series Fave Resources without combining it with Moxie Wife's Five Favorites also?  So if you have hoped on over here from the Five Favorites link up the Not Alone Series, in my words, is a group of women who link up and post about different topics related to the single season of life. You can read all my posts here about the topic.  I promise you it isn't just complaining and wishing for a husband with stars in my eyes.  It is about deepining the relationship with our Lord, doing His will as He wishes today, and growing on the path of holiness so that when it is His will we can enter into the Sacrament of Matrimony with our guy.

This weeks topic is our favorite resources related to growing on the path of holiness during our single season of life.

One.

I am going to be that person that says my first favorite resource is the Bible.  How could I not, it is God's love letter to us His people.  I took a New Testament scripture course this past semester and over the semester we broke open as a class through lectio divino and discussion about two chapters of Mark, paragraph by paragraph.  My mind was blown by how intricate and purposeful everything was.  It made me appreciate just how awesome the Bible.

When talking about the Bible in relation to singlehood their are two things that immediatly come to mind.  The first being Proverbs 3:5-6,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Talk about calming your heart when you are frustrated that you are still single.  Also helpful when you are discerning other things in life.

The other reading that comes immediately to me is Proverbs 31:10-31, The Noble Wife.  I try to read these verses as often as possible trying to keep them fresh in my mind so that all the day long I can be striving to become more the woman, and I think one day wife, the Lord calls me to be.

Two. 

My second favorite resource is Captivating by John Eldredge.  I have read this book multiple times and also read Wild at Heart, the guy "version.".  I was going to pull the book out and add some quotes but apparently it is packed away with my school stuff.  The core of the book is that women's core desires are to be romanced, to play an ireplacabe role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty.  When you stop and think about it so much of our feminine heart does boil down to this.  While the book not a code to live by it does make you stop, think and reflect.  

Three.



Another is the saints.  St. Gianna is such an inspiration to me of a holy wife and mother and that if the Lord calls me to work when I am a mom, that is ok.  If St. Gianna can be a physician, wife, mother and saint then the Lord could call me to that too.  St. Ann. Everytime I see the time strike 11:11 know that I am saying, "St. Ann, St. Ann find me a man." (Something this past years roommate taught me.)  Also, although I can't find it, there is a prayer by St. Anthony or St. Ambrose (I believe) that talks about resting in the Lord's love for us.  I know, I know how much can it be my favorite if I don't even know what it is, just trust me on it.

UPDATE:  My household sister helped me out (you can check out her awesome blog here.)  I was refering to the "Be Satisfied with Me" prayer by St. Anthony of Padua.

"Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone,
To have a deep soul relationship with another,
To be loved thoroughly and exclusively.

But to a Christian, God says, "No, not until you are satisfied,
Fulfilled and content with being loved by Me alone,
With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me.
With having an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone.

Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found,
Will you be capable of the perfect human relationship,
That I have planned for you.
You will never be united to another
Until you are united with Me.
Exclusive of anyone or anything else.
Exclusive of any other desires or longings.
I want you to stop planning, to stop wishing, and allow Me to give you
The most thrilling plan existing . . . one you cannot imagine.
I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you.

You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am.
Keep listening and learning the things that I tell you.
Just wait, that's all. Don't be anxious, don't worry
Don't look around at things others have gotten
Or that I have given them
Don't look around at the things you think you want,
Just keep looking off and away up to Me,
Or you'll miss what I want to show you.
And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love
Far more wonderful than you could dream of.

You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready,
I am working even at this moment
To have both of you ready at the same time.
Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me
And the life I prepared for you,
You won't be able to experience the love that exemplified your relationship with Me.
And this is perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love,
I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me.
And to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection and love that I offer you with Myself.
Know that I love you utterly. I AM God.
Believe it and be satisfied"

The saint are such a source of powerful intercession and example when it comes to being single, growing in holiness and becoming more of who the Lord desires you be as a one day wife or sister.  Of course a favorite resource.

Four.




Another favorite resource of mine is good, holy friends.  Women who can encourage you when you are struggling and rejoice with you when you are joyful.  They are woman who don't let you mope in singleness, call you on to be a more of the woman who the Lord is calling you to be, and make the single years all the more sweater with late night wine talks, morning coffee, and heart to heart discussions that just make your heart swoon.  I am so lucky to have best friends from high school, friends I have met at college and above all my household sisters who inspire me and encourage me more than I could ever thank them for. 

Five. 

My fifth and final favorite resource would have to be blogs.  Not any one in particular but so many in general.  I always happen to come upon a well written blog post right when I need it that encourages me and nudges me farther down the path of faith.  I remember one in particular during advent that was the permission I needed to wait with anticipation for my future spouse in the the same way that we wait for the Christ Child during advent.  Blog articles, chosen carefully can be quick light encouragement that can be weaved into our busy days.

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Now I know everyone cares what my post schedule will be since I have promised posts about running and weddings.  Well I am going to be going out of town tomorrow morning for another wedding until Sunday.  That means you get to see quick uploads of road trippin' pics which will either draw you into my instagraming or make you swear that you will never ever follow me on instagram in fears that your feed will just blow up.  After that some posts about running (eeek!!) and weddings.  Somewhere in there my blog design might also be updated so don't be alarmed if you see pretty blue floral rather than big stone angel.

3 comments:

  1. I think the St. Anthony prayer your talking about is "Be Satisfied with Me". I used it in this post. If not, well this ones still awesome lol
    http://mandreola.blogspot.com/2013/06/nas-prayer.html

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  2. I was actually looking at that prayer on Monday night as I was writing my post.

    Definitely with the friends and blogs.

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  3. Hi, Natalie! Thanks for your recommendation of the lives of the saints! Sometimes I forget about them. Is there a patron for single gals?

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