Advice for the one Struggling to Wait Patiently for a Husband

Hello, My name is Rachel. I am 34 and I have never had a boyfriend.

Growing up as the 7th child in a family of ten, getting married was an expected outcome. I never once questioned if, it was always when. I grew up knowing the love story of my parents, who met on the sidewalk, before classes started, their freshman year of college. They have been together ever since, and

will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year (2026).

All that to say I get it. I know how you feel, and I would like to offer some words of encouragement. The thing that I recommend the most is spending time on your knees in prayer. Talk to your God about your feelings the same as you would to your best friend. God is not surprised by how you feel and He welcomes the conversation. It was during one of these conversations with God that I realized I was so angry with Him. I had waited so long, with varying levels of patience for “my husband”, and he had yet to make himself known to me! That realization shocked me, and I had to deal with my anger - not forgiving God - but getting my heart in alignment with what He has actually promised and submitting to His will. Over the years, these past few especially, my emotions have taken me for a wild ride. I have felt totally abandoned by God, and grieved the children that I thought I would have had by now. I have even dealt with the idiocy of asking my Creator, who sent His Son to die so we might be together for eternity, why He didn't love me enough to give me a husband. I did kind of mentally smack myself for that last one. I have had to deal with the “why them and not me” mantra replaying in my head. Isn't life a fun little roller coaster!

My aim in sharing my struggles with you, is to show you that you are not alone, but also to show you that your emotions will lie to your face, and your heart will create your biggest burdens. How then, you may ask, do I deal with this?

Read. Your. Bible! Spending time in the Word and also in prayer, are non- negotiable. If you want peace, joy, comfort or encouragement, Babygirl, ask your Father for it!

I cannot tell you how many times I have had to ask God for an attitude adjustment! I would also recommend having one or two good, Godly friends who will listen when needed and also be willing to tell you the truth out of love. I praise God for my mother, and my best friend who listen and comfort without giving false hope, or repeating the trite phrases we're all so tired of hearing. Look for ways to serve. Pray for others instead of focusing on yourself. Do something nice for a neighbor, or pay a call on an elderly lady from church who may be lonely. Remember you are loved by the One who knows all your faults and still desires to spend time with you, and that (hard as it is to hear at times) He knows what is in your best interest, exactly what you need, and when you need it. It's not easy here in the trenches, sister. It is a daily battle to die to self and seek God. I pray that we succeed!

With love and encouragement, Rachel.

-Rachel Waddell

@miss_r_waddell