The Clearance Table Bride

It’s so interesting to see the different ways God speaks to us as we go through our day. I had one such instance happen to me several years ago at work, on Valentine’s Eve. Valentine’s Day is upon us next week, so I figured I’d share what God taught me!

I stood by a clearance table talking to a co-worker and looked down and saw this cute little bride sitting on the table.

I don’t know what made me pick her up, but something did. Whether I realized it at the time or not, an unconscious curiosity arose, questions in my mind: Why is she here? What about her landed her on the clearance table?

As you can see in the image, there didn’t seem anything wrong with her. She bears no marks or blemishes, she has her arms, she’s not cracked or broken. So why? I turned her over to see the price tag – and found a handwritten message.

As soon as I read it, I just started cracking up. Why? My first thought was, “Wow… I don’t think you could more perfectly describe my life in my late 20’s as a single woman in the church better than this.” And to find it the day before Valentine’s? Well that was just icing on the proverbial wedding cake!

I figured it was just too funny not to share, so I snapped some shots to share on Facebook. Figured a funny caption like, “Can I get an AMEN from all the single ladies out there?” would get a few laughs.

But then, I thought on it some more. The Lord really impressed a few things on my heart about that dear bride with a clearance sticker. So I knew I had my next blog topic. 😃

Those thoughts the Lord placed on my heart? I hope and pray they challenge and encourage each of you the same way they did me!

Feeling Thankful

The first thought I had was thankfulness. A soul-deep thankfulness that the Lord had brought me to a place in life where I could laugh at this. Believe me, that has NOT always been the case. Singleness often feels like a curse, especially in a faith that values marriage and in a culture that often devalues singleness. But God has always had an important place for singles in his plan. From Jesus to Paul, singles forged our history.

No One Belongs on Clearance

A second, more somber, thought occurred to me. Many single women, especially those in the church today, feel like this is their reality. Our reality. How many of us wrestle with feelings like we are on the clearance table of life? We too feel like we should wear stickers that shout, “No groom! As is. 50% off.” And I HATE that!!!

For EVERY woman who has felt that way, I want to tell you: that is a LIE from our enemy, the father of lies! That is NOT what your Heavenly Father thinks about you at all! God absolutely DELIGHTS in EACH one of us! It brings Him such JOY to spend time with us.

That is why Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing. Not because anything that Martha had done was wrong. Rather, Jesus was saying, “There’s time for that later. But for now, while I am here, let’s hang out. Come, relax, spend time with me. That’s what I really want from you – the gift of your presence.”

God Loves You As Is

Both men and women, single and married – when you feel emotions running away with you, feelings of inadequacy, feelings like you aren’t 100%, feelings that you are not desirable “as is” – make an intentional effort to bring those emotions before the Throne. Praise Him, seek His truth! Ask Him to show you how much He delights in you!

He will meet you there. I know this not only from experience, but also because He promises it in His word as well! In Jeremiah 29:13-14, He says:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

This is the prayer that I leave you with today.

That you might seek the Lord and allow Him to come and meet with you. That you might know your identity is rooted in your position as His child, loved by Him – let this truth tell you who you are!

Believe me, I know that it can be hard to open ourselves up and be vulnerable. But it is more than okay to trust your heart to Him. There is absolutely no one who will handle it better or cherish it more. He is truly the Lover of our Soul.

Man or woman, single or married, God’s your Valentine. Share this with someone in your life who needs a reminder they are loved – 100%.