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I never dreamed I'd find anything in common with Frankenstein. But this past weekend when a friend and I went to a local community theater production of a play based on Mary Shelley's well-known monster story, I discovered an odd kinship with the big, bolt-necked guy.

In this adaptation of the story, the source of misery for scientist Victor Frankenstein's "Creature," the thing that makes this monster haunt the man who created him, is his loneliness. Because the rest of the world finds him hideous (no, this isn't the part I related to!), the poor Creature can't find a companion to save his resuscitated life.

Finally, when he overhears Victor talking lovingly with his fiancé, the creature hatches a plan: have the good scientist stitch him up a bride. My friend and I giggled at the scene in which the Creature picked up soon-to-be Frau Frankenstein's veil, placed it gingerly against his greenish face, and announced in a gravelly-yet-love-struck voice his new quest in life: "Wife." (Sure, I thought, the one single man I've seen lately who's willing to commit to a relationship is a fictitious monster!)

When the Creature shares his plan with Victor, his idea is met with less than enthusiasm by his creator, who already regrets crafting the prototype. But the Creature persists, demanding a bride ASAP. To this, Victor Frankenstein responds, "You demand?!" his nose upturned at his creation's insolent request. "I gave you life and you make demands of me?!"

Now, I read Frankenstein in college, and I recall the religious symbolism throughout. At one point, the monster even tells the scientist, "I am your Adam." So it wasn't a big leap to watch this play with an eye for the underlying issues of faith. Unfortunately, it also wasn't a big leap to see the similarities between the Creature's presumptuous demands and my occasional heavenward requests: "Okay, God, I know you gave me life and all, but do you think you could hurry it up in the hubby department?" Those might not be my exact words, but the sentiment is certainly the same.

How monstrous indeed!

Watching the demanding monster, I had the same sinking feeling I got this past Sunday morning when some of us in my Sunday school class were discussing the disciples' lack of faith despite seeing Jesus perform miracle after miracle. We were shaking our heads that some even turned away from Jesus, until someone wisely said, "Yeah, it's a good thing none of us ever does that." We all grinned sheepishly at the collective "ouch" moment.

It's amazing how seeing our negative behaviors acted out by others can suddenly bring the preposterousness — and sinfulness — of them to light. Little did I know I'd been "dressed up" for Halloween for some time — as scary ol' Frankensingle! How many times have I wandered awkwardly, clutching my dreams (like the frau's veil), and nagging my Creator about my plans instead of simply kneeling and thanking him for the indescribable gift of life? God's provided me with a job, a home, a car, great friends, a good church, and so much more in his perfect timing — and yet still at times I doubt his ability to bring a spouse into my life, if that's his will for me. So often this single journey feels like one huge lesson in trusting God.

One thing that hit me later the night of the play when I was listening to a new worship CD while getting ready for bed, is how little Victor Frankenstein (the monster's creator) and God (my creator) have in common. In the play, Victor gets increasingly fed up with the Creature's demands and ends up shooting him. God, on the other hand, as one of the worship songs on my CD reminded me, is gracious, slow to anger, rich in love, and good to all. How delightful — and lucky for us sometimes-demanding singles.

I went to bed that night thankful for new eyes with which to see my attitudes toward my singleness and God (and even more thankful that I didn't acquire these "new eyes" in the same way Frankenstein's Creature did!). I hope to use them to look to the next holiday with renewed enthusiasm, to glance heavenward more often with a word of thanks for the gift of life, and to see opportunities to make this life mean something for the One who lovingly gave it — and entrusted it — to me.

Camerin welcome your feedback and brainstorms at: SinglesNewsletter@ChristianityToday.com

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