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Single-Minded: Being single, whole and living life to the full
We live in a couples culture, where a partner, if not a spouse, is assumed; where the expectation is that unmarried people will be sexually active even if not in a committed relationship. But what about those who because of their faith, or their preferences, choose to remain celibate until they find Mr or Miss Right? Kate Wharton tackles directly and compassionately the questions that this choice throws up: issues of identity (church roles and social invitations alike too often assume ‘a couple’); finance (it is much cheaper to live together than alone); sexual pressure (staying pure, in thought as well as deed); friendship (including being friends with the opposite sex) and calling (the cost of obedience may preclude marriage). What challenges face those who, through divorce or death, are single again? This positive, honest book will be a source of wisdom and comfort to anyone who is single, whether or not they expect to remain so.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 18, 2014
I normally actively avoid books about singleness, or books aimed at singles, as I find them patronising, unhelpful and downright annoying. I don't feel defined by the fact that I am single, and don't want a book to try and define me that way either. Even if I stay single for the rest of my life, or if I were to meet someone and my life were to change tomorrow, my relationship status still does not define who I am and nor should it. Sometimes I'm happy to be single, and sometimes I'm not... but that is life!
But this book was recommended to me by a friend who I trusted and who I had had enough in depth conversations on this topic with to know she wouldn't just recommend anything. I'm glad I listened to her and gave it a read. This is not like other singles books I have come across before. It was a positive look at some of the many opportunities attached to singleness as well as the challenges, an invitation to live a full life now rather than waiting on some future partner, and a look at how we can 'live together' as single and married people within the Church. In fact it is a useful book for singles and married alike as we learn how to live in grace with each other as we travel the journey of life together. It is so much more than a book on singleness. It is a book on living life for God, but just written with the perspective of singleness.
Kate is a vicar in the UK and is single. She doesn't feel hard done by for where she is in life, she knows who she is and she knows God. She is not afraid of being real in what she says and it is this quality which was so refreshing. Yes, there were chapters and passages which I found less helpful but overall the book was a positive read which reminded me where to keep looking in life and where not to dwell unneccesarily on those tough days. I love that she answered so many questions that I've also asked with answers which were simple in their truth.
Some passages I felt particularly inspired by:
But this book was recommended to me by a friend who I trusted and who I had had enough in depth conversations on this topic with to know she wouldn't just recommend anything. I'm glad I listened to her and gave it a read. This is not like other singles books I have come across before. It was a positive look at some of the many opportunities attached to singleness as well as the challenges, an invitation to live a full life now rather than waiting on some future partner, and a look at how we can 'live together' as single and married people within the Church. In fact it is a useful book for singles and married alike as we learn how to live in grace with each other as we travel the journey of life together. It is so much more than a book on singleness. It is a book on living life for God, but just written with the perspective of singleness.
Kate is a vicar in the UK and is single. She doesn't feel hard done by for where she is in life, she knows who she is and she knows God. She is not afraid of being real in what she says and it is this quality which was so refreshing. Yes, there were chapters and passages which I found less helpful but overall the book was a positive read which reminded me where to keep looking in life and where not to dwell unneccesarily on those tough days. I love that she answered so many questions that I've also asked with answers which were simple in their truth.
Some passages I felt particularly inspired by:
"So is God all I need? Well, yes... and no. I think in the end what I want to say is that God is all I need, but he doesn't want to be all I have." ...
"I know that there will be times when I'm surrounded by people I love, life is good, and God will be in the centre of it all. And I know too that there will be times when I feel lonely, lost and afraid, when life is hard, and I will need to cling on to God. But in the midst of it all, in the most important way, he is all that i need."
"Whatever our marital status, life with Jesus means life to the full. Yet Jesus warns that our enemy will continually seek to undermine a fulfilled and purposeful life in Christ. And so as far as the battle is concerned. It. Is. On."
"Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believ right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life."
May 7, 2018
A really great concept, and I agree that society needs to think much more carefully about its attitude to single women.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews