All your life, you had specific dreams about what your family life would be like when you're finally married. You were so intent on what you wanted; you even made a list of qualities and characteristics you were looking for in a spouse. But time passed, and that person you were so intent on didn't come along. All of your friends married, had children, and had beautiful homes. And still you were single. You prayed and prayed and prayed for that person to come along, but nothing happened. So you began an active search for a mate. And within a short period, you met someone who almost fit the bill. Almost. Sure, there were a few things missing, a few rusty spots in that person's character. But, after all, no one is perfect. Maybe your goals were too high. Maybe you'd been asking for the impossible. Maybe this was the person God wanted for you so your character could grow through dealing with his failings. Even though it often seems that God is slow to answer prayers, we have to remember that God doesn't wear a watch. He sees with eternal eyes. He operates on an eternal timetable, according to His plan and His schedule. If God seems to be running late, don't get impatient and run ahead of him. Wait for the Lord's timing in everything. To the single folks out there, this is for you. Single means you have the time to grow and be the person you want to be. Single means learning to live by yourself. However, that is no more difficult than learning to live with somebody else. Single means freedom. Single means learning not to need a man to make your life meaningful, but learning to live with a man because you want to be with him. Ironically, yet quite happily, single is feeling good about being in control of your life. It is liking and respecting who you are and why you are. Single is realizing that being married is not necessarily better, it is merely different. Being single means you are free to love again.