'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.' Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)
When I started this blog I had a real desire just to get back to basics.
I really wanted to help Christian brothers and sisters practically apply our faith to our lives, often we can segment the two but in actual fact the two are conjoined. Our faith is our life, and we should live that out accordingly by applying it to our lives. Now ultimately that desire/reason hasn't changed, but of late I have really recognised, and am responding to how God has shaped the direction of that desire/reason when it comes to 2 areas - Singleness and Purpose.
You see, my name is Louise Afaidze-Hayford, I'm 31 and I am SINGLE. I'm not dating anyone, I'm not chatting to a guy, not on any dating apps/sites and haven't 'talked' to a guy that I don't go to Church with/lead in my Connect Group, since March 2020. Yep, Single.
I'm not disappointed.
I'm not unhappy. I'm not counting down the days until I get a boyfriend aka future Husband. (Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels)
Yes, I do go through my moments of Lord where is my Husband? But they are fleeting moments, and much fewer and further than they have been before.
Ultimately over the course of last year (2020) there have been less 'Lord when am I going to get married' moments, and more 'Lord I am really happy right now, I know what I'm here for, I totally get my purpose and I am loving exploring and doing that with you - You go Glen Coco! (If you know, you know.)' moments.
I'm challenged.
I'm driven.
I'm confident.
I know I'm going to get married one day.
I'm loving my singleness.
But most importantly I'm fulfilled.
I started this blog with a spirit led intention to help all of Christendom, and you never know one day by God's grace brothers and sisters who come across this site will be impacted. But ultimately, I know better then to try and change God's course of direction (Proverbs 16:9 ), and He really has stirred within me my passion for embracing Singleness and how we live that out, as well as my passion for helping people discover and understand their purpose in life.
When it comes to singleness, I want to share this journey/my learnings/the biblical perspective to encourage other single sisters and brothers (as that's what we are in Christ, ladies and gents)...more so sisters (sorry bro's, take it to the Lord in prayer/I will so continue to find resources for you as it's important that we look out for you too!) so we can better navigate our singleness. This is a time of fruitfulness to be enjoyed. But I do call it a journey for 1 main reason, I will get married one day - I know it, it's in God's plan for me, God has revealed that to me so I'm good, I'm not doubting that at all - and you shouldn't either. I truly am learning to live by Proverbs 3: 5-6 -'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.'' and Matthew 7:7 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.' and want to help others live by this too!
Which aptly falls under the topic of Purpose! Everyone in this world has a purpose, but as Christians there are aspects of this laid out in the Bible in terms of us as the Church (The Great Commission Matthew 28: 18-end), but also individually. I have a real passion to help all those in Christ understand what a purpose-filled, purpose-led and purpose-centred life in Christ should look like.
So if you're wondering, well...ok - great I'm here for that! Super! This post was more so my admission of the direction of Chats With Lou, yes I'm still about Faith, yes still about faith application to Life and yes most definitely about Chatting away. But generally there will be a heavy nuance on sharing material/discussions/posts you name it on the topic of Singleness and Purpose - which I pray will bless you and stir you in faith. Amen. Lou x
Bible Verses:
Proverbs 16: 9 - A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Matthew 7: 7-11 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 28: 18-end And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
