I was first introduced to Mandy Hale by my therapist. The book he suggested i read, was one of her more recent books, The Single Woman. I will admit i may have rolled my eyes when he suggested i read a book about single life. You see, I have basically read all there is out there about being single, how to not be single anymore, and why i am still single. Let's just say i had zero interest in reading another book. However, i put my pride aside and i got a copy of the book. Long story short I loved it, and decided that Beautiful uncertainty would be my next read.
Before i cracked open the covers of Beautiful Uncertainty, or read the back of the book, i was pulled in by the subtitle, "Singleness, Surrender, and Stepping out on Faith". I don't think i have ever read a more real statement about the journey of single christian women. We are aware of our single status (sometimes painfully aware), in need of surrendering of our plans, hopes and dreams to christ, and constantly stepping out on faith.
The biggest appeal for me while reading this book, or if you have read any of Mandy's book is that her singleness is not just a blimp in her life, it is an all-emcompassing journey, one i can really relate to. As i mentioned before i have read many books from single authors. Authors who often write their books from the viewpoints that are often not relatable, while telling you how to find a partner. The information, and the stories can sometimes be generalized, detached from what single women and men actually struggle with. In their mind, they've basically have it all figured out, or so it may seem at times. Mandy is a single woman writing about the journey many women who have been single for years can understand and sympathize with. There were many moments while reading that i found myself shaking my head in agreement, laughing at her stories, or crying at the pain i too have experienced. She gets it, the single woman (and men) struggle is the uncertainty of the season.
The single life is often described as a blank canvas ready and waiting to be filled, open to any direction and opportunity, totally free to chart new territory. The single life is also filled with uncertainty, where to go, what to do, sometimes the blank space can feel more like a burden than a blessing. But as Mandy writes, "When we are willing to hand him (God) the pen to our lives, he writes a much more beautiful story than we could ever ask for or imagine." That is the beautiful part in the uncertainty, Gods open arms reaching out to us in the midst of it all. We must remember that Jesus time here on earth was spend single. He understands the struggles that are often aligned with single life. The loneliness, the feeling of hopelessness, the many fears and doubts that can consume even the most independent woman.
This is the premise of the book that we as single women do not have to struggle, we do not have to fret and wonder if things will change. God is so much bigger, and his plans for us are far grander than the season we are in. Mandy challenge for her readers is simple, let go, trust God, and let him lead. God desires to do use this season for his glory and for our refinement.
My Take Away
What i loved :
I loved that Mandy at the time she wrote this book was in her mid 30s. As i am currently in my 30s i appreciate and relate so much to many of her sentiments that can sometimes be lost to a younger age group.
Favorite Quote:
" Waiting doe not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant woman. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting. God's spirit is right alongside helping us along (Romans 8:23-26 Message)." Page 190
This book challenges me to:
1. Let go and let God take full control.
2. Ask big and wait expectantly.
3. Soak in every blessing in this season.