Your guide to an abundant single life from ChristianSinglesToday.com
Thursday, December 6, 2007
I don't think it was a coincidence.
Over Thanksgiving when I was at home with my family, one night I slept in the same room as my sister and nephew. When we arrived home from an overnight visit to my mom's side of our extended family, my sister and brother-in-law discovered their furnace was kaput. So my sister bundled up her kids—my four-year-old nephew and one-year-old niece—and headed to my parents place to join us overnight (while my brother-in-law waited in the cold for the furnace guy).
I shared the queen-size guest-room bed with my sister, and we pulled a twin-size mattress onto the floor for my nephew. It was exactly the amount of mattress space I'd seen a week earlier at a Cambodian orphanage—where the 17 girls who called the three-room facility home slept each night. One of the students in the writing class I was there to teach had founded this orphanage a year earlier, and over lunch one day I snuck away for a visit.
The people I met on this short-term mission trip have been in my heart—as I've looked at the pictures I took, shared stories with the people who financially or prayerfully supported my trip, and as little details (such as not-so-coincidental mattress space) have reminded me how good I have it and how much I need to pray for those who don't.
Check out other reflections from my trip in this week's column, "The Song of God's Grace," below.
Then, go to this week's poll to let us know whom you'll spend Christmas with.
Christmas blessings!
Camerin Courtney
Camerin welcomes your feedback and brainstorms at:
SinglesNewsletter@ChristianityToday.com
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| Camerin and her Cambodian students at a snack break during the conference |
The Song of God's Grace
by Camerin Courtney
I never expected God to speak to me about my singleness while I was halfway around the world. But three weeks ago, in a small church situated on a dirt road in the middle of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, he did—even though I didn't quite realize it at the time.
I'd arrived in Cambodia the day prior to that church service, along with four other members of my church. We were there to work with one of our church's missionaries who'd launched a publishing company in Phnom Penh in 2004.
More …
FAITH
A Rustling in the Garden
Why we sometimes wish the atheists were right
by Mark Galli
SELF
Mom for a Morning
Sitting with little David took me to the manger.
by Mary E. Flynn
FRIENDSHIP
Talking Dirty
My roommate often swears in God's name. Is there a Bible verse I can show him that says we shouldn't curse like that—or at all?
answer by Christin Ditchfield
 The Five Love Languages for Singles
Whether you're widowed, divorced, separated, or never married, your deepest emotional need is to feel loved. This book helps you achieve your greatest successes by learning how to love others. |
 Christianbook.com's Christmas Shop
Christmas is just around the corner, and you can find the
perfect gifts, books, DVDs, and CDs at our famous low
prices. We're here to make your holiday shopping a breeze! |
 Amazing Grace, DVD
The acclaimed story of William Wilberforce, chronicling his epic struggle to pass a law to end the slave trade in the late 18th century. Inspired by a true story. |
 Sex and the Single Woman
This guide offers practical advice on nurturing your singleness and finding great joy in remaining pure. |
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Whom will you spend Christmas with? (Mark all that apply.)
- my parents and/or siblings
- my extended family
- my kids
- my friends
- my boyfriend/girlfriend
- people from church
- myself
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'. |
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
- yes, and I'm done: 5%
- yes, I've got a lot finished: 26%
- yes, I've just started: 27%
- no: 36%
- no, it's not December 24 yet: 5%
Total votes: 291
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The Getaway
Now was the chance to catch up—without an eye on the clock.
Death of a Dream
After my divorce, I had to find new hopes for the future.
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