Membership Has Its Privileges

One of my favorite books, The Hiding Place, describes an experience two sisters in a concentration camp have when they discover that fleas have infested their beds. After having a small freak out, they read a scripture in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, which says: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” They weren't sure they could really be thankful for fleas, but followed the counsel and prayed expressing thanks for them anyway. They soon recognized actual blessings because of the fleas.

Being single is a flea for me. While I am in the midst of trying to exterminate this flea, I thought it might be a good idea to follow Paul’s counsel to the Thessalonians and express gratitude – so here are some things I like about being single:

1- Time: I pretty much do what I want when I want (workout, sleep, eat, work, shop, etc.) – I like doing what I want a lot – ever heard the Avril Lavigne song – “I Always Get What I Want”???
2- Movies: I can pick whatever movie I want to go see (a friend introduced me to the solo movie thing a while back and I like it – except for seeing Dark Knight alone which was LAME)
3- Money: I spend my money how I want (are you sensing control issues?) – if I want to buy ridiculously expensive 5” heels, I do
4- Travel: I can travel to places like Australia for 5 weeks if I feel like it (and have worked hard to save up enough $$ and vacation time)
5- Weekends: I can hang out with my mom – movie nights, shopping sprees, spa trips, etc.; and, go to Costco, watch John Wayne or sports with my dad and brothers – which are things I love to do
6- Home: My house looks exactly how I want it to – I think it is very pretty and very cozy; dirty dishes (there aren’t many of these) are almost never left in the sink, the toilet seat is NEVER left up, clothes are either in the hamper or hung up – not strewn about (unless I’m feeling lazy), no newspapers are left lying around (mainly cuz I don’t take the paper), and I have flowers everywhere
7- TV: “Sole possession of the remote control” (what movie is that from?)
8- Reading: I can read for hours without really neglecting anyone or feeling guilty
9- Kids: I can spoil my nieces and nephews at birthdays and Christmas, and I can enjoy spending time with them with no direct responsibility for any of the tough parent stuff
10- Food: No one eats the last bowl of Lucky Charms except me.

There you have it: the benefits of being in the Single Club. I would, of course, very happily give up or adjust all of these things for Mr. Right . . .