book review: "living whole without a better half" by wendy widder

"For many, "single" is not just a filing status on a tax return but a public declaration that they are disappointed, discontented, and waiting around to start life. Whether single by choice or circumstance, they may find, like Wendy Widder did, that well-meaning advice and platitudes about God's care are less than helpful when they're just trying to figure out - like everyone else - how to live life well. 

Singles will find the unvarnished truth here. Instead of cherry-picking biblical "promises," Widder turns to Hebrews 11. She examines the lives of biblical heroes such as Abraham, Moses, and Jacob to show readers how to embrace singleness as a God-given gift that can provide abundant life. Wendy has learned, relearned, and then learned yet again that God's plan for us is better than any we have for ourselves and she makes her case with wit and a wry humor. Now with study questions and a new preface, Living Whole Without a Better Half makes a great Bible study or small group resource."

I really liked this book! Just being able to relate to someone who understands the desire to be married but still waiting for that guy to come along can't be overstated. And, one of my favorite things were the quotes at the beginning of the chapters - apparently we have similar taste in movies! I liked how she pulled out stories from the Bible, showing how some of the great men of faith trusted God despite their circumstances. And she also shared from her own life. I think we sometimes feel as though we need to be with someone but my life is good right now! Marriage is something I definitely want but not something I'm putting my life on hold for.

"I want to press on because I'm so in step with the Creator of the universe that walking a difficult road is an opportunity to sidle a little closer to Him, to hold His hand a little tighter." There are a lot of weddings going on around me right now and while I am super happy for all of these couples, I can't help but wonder when my walk down the aisle will come. Reading this book in this season of my life was definitely a God thing. I needed to be reminded of God's timing. 

"The unpopular truth is that God often does His greatest work while we wait." I think about what all I've been able to do while single - especially in this last year. I've been able to invest in an amazing group of middle school girls at my church, I went to Guatemala last summer and am going back this year, I made it through my first year of teaching and the long hours it required. All of these things would've been hard if I was balancing a relationship as well.  

I received a copy of this book from Kregel Publications for my honest review.