LIVING SINGLE: The Gal Story by Olubukola Lawal

Olubukola Lawal wrote this when she was single... One year after God has signed her into a marital journey we trust will be joyful! 

The urban dictionary defined a single person as when you are currently not in a relationship with a significant other. In legal definitions, a single person is someone who is not in a relationship or is "unmarried". In common usage, the term single is often used to refer to someone who is of age (above 21 years) and not involved in any type of serious romantic relationship, including long-term dating, engagement, or marriage.

I am a lady of thirty years of age and it has not been easy living single but one thing I always assure myself of is that been single is not a crime neither is it a curse. It is only a phase in my life that I have to go through to learn what it takes to be independent. My younger sister is married and that has brought a lot of pressure on me from friends and families. My mum in particular disturbs me on so many occasions and each time she calls me by my middle name ‘Olaide’ I already know what the discussion will be about.

What I have done for myself in this phase of life is that I continue to develop myself and serve God with the whole of my heart and time. I remember how my mum lamented when I told her I want to commence my MBA, she went on and one to explain to me that I am not getting any younger, You are a lady and time waits for no one. In Yoruba there is a saying that ‘Ile obirin ko kin pe su’ meaning night time does not tarry for ladies. I encourage my mum all the time that someday she would celebrate with me.

Furthermore, one of the issues I have had to deal with is loneliness. There are times I would love to be with my partner or just feel like going to places with that special someone alone but at times like this, I ensure I keep my calm and trust in the Word of God that the thoughts of God for me is good and not of evil.

In conclusion, a scripture that I always hold on to is Isaiah 34:16 ‘Search the book of the LORD, and see what He will do. Not one of these birds and animals will be missing, and none will lack a mate, for the LORD has promised this. His Spirit will make it all come true’.

My advice to every single man and woman is never accept self-pity from anyone. Being single is not a disease neither is it a curse, but it is a time for you to be what God wants you to be. If you are not complete in yourself as a single, you cannot be complete when you are maried.