We chuckle at this joke but in reality, it is not so funny!
One recently widowed gentleman who desperately needed the fellowship of the friends at church almost decided to not attend anymore. The reason being that a widow who had made it known she wanted to get married had eyed him as her target! He couldn't enjoy the service because of her actions!
"Know the importance of the season you are in" (Pro 10:5 Passion Bible) We need to embrace where we are! The Apostle Paul shares it like this. "But I am saying this more as a matter of permission and concession, not as a command or regulation. I wish that all men were like I myself am [in this matter of self-control]. But each has his own special gift from God, one of this kind and one of another. But to the unmarried people and to the widows, I declare that it is well (good, advantageous, expedient, and wholesome) for them to remain [single] even as I do.
But if they have not self-control (restraint of their passions), they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame [with passion and tortured continually with ungratified desire]."
"...And the unmarried woman or girl is concerned and anxious about the matters of the Lord, how to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit; but the married woman has her cares [centered] in earthly affairs-how she may please her husband. Now I say this for your own welfare and profit, not to put [a halter of] restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly and in good order and to secure your undistracted and undivided devotion to the Lord."
1 Cor 7:6-9, 34-35. (AMP)
"Mama CarolMarie" puts it this way: Don't try to make it happen! Wearing your feelings on your sleeve is not appealing. It will make them run away! Enjoy the season you are in and learn the importance of it! If you are staying in the same season and are uncomfortable with it, then maybe you have not learned the important principles the Lord wants you to learn! Paul stated it well in that being single you can give undivided devotion to the Lord! Let me tell you, that's amazing! I have been single over 19 years now and the intimacy you can have in the spirit with the Lord is wonderful when it is undivided! He is the best, best Husband! We need to learn that, just like one of my friends did, and then God brought her a husband who was perfect for the season she was entering! They minister together as a team in great power!
It's good to believe God for the desires of your heart. But let God be God and let Him bring it to pass in line with His will and timing! I suggest you pray as I have, "Lord Jesus, my heart belongs to You! I ask You to either give me the desires of my heart or change my desires! I align with Your will and timing! Teach me the importance of this season of my life and help me embrace it."
You may not be on a cruise ship, but you certainly can enjoy the journey!
The story is told of a gentleman on a cruise ship who was feeling uncomfortable because a woman kept staring at him. Finally, he approached her and asked if something was wrong. She apologized "I'm sorry, but I just couldn't get over how much you look like my third husband!" "Oh really, how many times have you been married?" "Twice" she replied.
