At an early age, I was taught that if you find out what God wants you to do with your life, you will find joy. As a single person trying to carry out the message of the Gospel each and every day, I find joy in doing what God wants for me.
People have asked me ‘don’t you want to be married” or “why don’t you become a nun?” It is important that I not let someone else define who I am and that I remember this is only their opinion. They might not understand what a life embracing the single vocation involves.
It is a full life. I am not in waiting for something or someone. As a single person I am responsible for myself in everyway. I work in the corporate world to provide for myself and it is important that I bring my lifestyle as a Catholic Christian to that work. I don’t have to bring a soapbox to work to shout my love for Jesus. It is there as a part of what kind of employee I am and how I treat those around me.
I have a passion for ministry to carry out God’s message. I especially enjoy my volunteer work in the world of social justice. I am a longtime member of our parish’s social action committee which promotes taking food to the soup kitchen, gathering necessities for the homeless shelter and building houses for Habitat for Humanity. It is my heart. I know that God asks us to remember those in need and to do what we can.
Also, I have taught in the religious education program in my parish for eleven years. I love working with the children and these last few years, preparing them for First Communion. My students’ parents tell me that their children think that I’m “cool” and if I’m involved with church, it must be a “cool” thing to do. Because they see me at church and being a Eucharistic minister, they seem to grasp how important God and His church are in my life. I realize that in this modern world, many of them might be single a good deal of their adult lives. I realize that I might be one of the few role models for them and how they deal with that part of their lives. I want to share with them the importance of seeing our parish as an extended community beyond their family.
It is important for me to spend time with those I love. Because that isn’t built into my day as it might be with a spouse and children or a community, it is important that I take the time to be with those that support me and listen to me. They give so much to me in making me feel loved and grounded.
Sometimes people ask me what I do in my free time. I just ask them what free time?
I go to graduate school. I am a good sister and friend. I am an awesome aunt. I do volunteer work each and every week. I take care of my home and my yard. I love to dig in God’s earth and plant beautiful flowers. It is a busy life. When people ask if I’m lonely, I try to be as honest as I can be. I’m not lonely when I’m by myself because I can call a friend, go for a walk, read or pray. I know that God is with me and He is great company. But sometimes, when I’m in a crowded room, that’s when I can feel lonely. Because that’s when I realize how many times people just exist and don’t connect. That makes me sad.It is important to be true to yourself and who God called you to be. Being single opens so many opportunities because I am graciously included in other’s celebrations. After all, what’s one more person? There is also the responsibility to be true to myself and not allow others to insist that I am just there, without a relationship that is reciprocal. If the friendship is just one way, I know that it is not a true friendship so I must move on. For those that friendships do work, there are opportunities to be close to people, to explore the social part of being human.God has granted me so many gifts and talents and the opportunities to use these in my life. I do feel Him as a part of my life and hope that I can share that with those around me, out in the world. It is my hope that I can live out our baptismal call to be holy as God is holy and be an example of Him in the world.Being single is still to be a whole person. Some people say that to be single is to be alone. But God sees us as all one. Jesus promises to never leave us and I feel His presence in my life. It is such a gift in my life.
