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And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:36-38 ESV

I have always been fascinated by Anna.

Her small, but pivotal, role was in this unfolding drama that is our Lord’s start in life. How could she stay devoted to God, constantly in the temple, for all those years?

More recently, I have been touched by her widow status. Anna had been a widow a long, long, long time. And because of this, she was able to be there in the temple when the Lord was dedicated.

I have felt a lot of pressure to date again, from both family and friends, married and unmarried.

Recently, several of my widow sisters have stepped forward into love again –dating, getting engaged, and re-marrying. I am over the moon in my excitement for them. They have found great guys, in line with God’s calling on their lives. These gals have not been afraid to plunge into the waters of loving again.

But, while I am thrilled for them, I am equally certain that this course is not for me. Not now, maybe not ever. And that’s okay.

I know it’s okay because of Anna.

Dedicated simply to the Lord’s service. There were no distractions in her path, She prayed, fasted, and went about the Lord’s business. That, to me, sounds like Heaven on earth!

I bet she was the go-to gal for prayer concerns, keeping her friends, family, town, and nation bathed in prayer. She could sit and listen to the LORD and knew His voice as clearly as her own. We know from the verses above that she never left the temple. She was not afraid to worship in front of others, speaking of her LORD to all around her.

Maybe it’s because my life is so crazy now that this sounds appealing. I know I often long for simplicity and more oneness with God. The oneness that I especially long for since I am without my sweet husband. Maybe it’s because I long to be able to be singularly focused on Kingdom things, not on the minutia of life on earth. Perhaps it’s simply that I am tired and long for the rest that only my Savior provides. I long to listen more closely to His voice.

Whatever the reason, this is my season, God-ordained, just as much as my sisters who are again dating and married.

Sisters, I don’t know which part of this widow journey you are on, or which you are supposed to be on. I am not even sure I will stay the course of singleness forever. But I do know this: God has purpose and meaning in both paths. And by His grace, we can be fulfilled in both.

I pray that as you consider whether to date or to remarry, you lean on our loving Lord to make those decisions. He has all the answers we need.

Father God, I pray that You guide us on our journeys of singleness, dating, and remarriage. I pray that You help us to know which path is best for us now and always. Help us walk boldly forward to serve You, single or married, just as You would have us do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.