Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Solo in Hong Kong

Two blogs in two days! It must be a new record.  This one is on a way more personal note and doesn't have that much to do with Hong Kong specifically, so if you want to skip on over this one, that's a-okay with me!

It's interesting to get to know some of the expats here.  There is a strange undercurrent here, especially among my Christian expat friends (okay, really the only friends I have here!) about who is dating who, who isn't dating who, or who should be dating who.  I was kind of weirded out by this when I first arrived here, but now I'm beginning to understand. 

It is hard to be in a new city alone. 

I often look at the married people I know who are here - new or old timers and find myself coveting their lives.  It is hard to be a single person.  From the insignificant desire to have someone to share your day with to the more significant challenges when it comes to traveling, or planning a future - being single in Hong Kong is different.  And it isn't easy.

I have had no less than 5 female expats tell me that they were frustrated with Hong Kong because they felt like they'd never meet "the one" here.  And I find that so disheartening.  Not because I'm here to find "the one" - in fact, that's about as far from the truth as it could be.  I'm here to serve God.  I often have no idea what that means, or how to accomplish it, but I feel sure of it.

Do I want to be married? Yes.

Do I want to be married soon? Absolutely!

When I was in college, did I think I'd be married 4 years ago? Yes! 

However, there comes a point in life where we're called to obedience.  And that means taking my desires and putting them in the hands of God.  I have no idea if or when I will be married.  I have no idea what God has in store for my future.  And as frustrating and logistically, spiritually, and emotionally challenging as it is to be here alone, it is also fruitful.  I'm forced to rely on God more.  Much more than I did living amongst friends and family in Texas.  I'm given the opportunity of time.  Time I can spend praying for my future husband, whoever he is, and in doing things to be a better woman of God.

I'm called into a grand adventure.

I heard a speaker tonight at a young adult gathering and I loved some of the things he said.  He asked the question, "What adventure is God calling you into?" "What are some small steps you can take?" And I think that for me,  Hong Kong is a grand adventure.  It is by no means THE grand adventure, for I see a lifetime of opportunities ahead.  And perhaps marriage is one of them.

But for the time being, I'm here, serving an amazing God who provides for all of my needs.

And that is enough.

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