It’s day 25 of 31 Days of Interviews with Single Women. You can find a list of all the interviews in this post.
Today we’re talking to Marie Bride! Marie says:
Allow yourself to sit and really acknowledge that you are in the presence of the divine Creator of heaven and earth and He has an awesome plan for your life!
Marie is a 50-something year old woman who lives in Michigan. She loves the Lord and has a good and hopeful perspective of life as a single woman.
Brenda: First, tell us a little about yourself – your name, age, where you live, & where you grew up.
Marie: I am Marie Bride. I am about to celebrate my last 50s birthday. I live in Michigan where I was born. I have two younger brothers – one was born in California and one in Minnesota.
Brenda: Where do you work, & how did you get started in your job?
Marie: I have changed careers several times. I was in high-end retail for almost 30 years. I started retail as Christmas help in the late 70s/early 80s. I was a Financial Advisor for four years, and then the market crashed. I have been a personal assistant doing whatever is available both professionally and domestically, and I’m currently pursuing a calling to write – putting pen to paper and fingers to keyboard.
Brenda: Do you feel like your job is God’s calling on your life or do you hope it leads to something else one day?
Marie: I heard the Holy Spirit’s call to write as I was sitting at a table of women sharing during a retreat team meeting. Afterwards I said I am going to write and be an inspirational speaker.
Brenda: When you envisioned your life as a young girl, did you hope to have a career when you grew up or was your desire more for marriage & children or did you want both for your life?
Marie: Most definitely both.
Brenda: What fires you up? What are you most passionate about in your life and in the world?
Marie: Serving my Lord Jesus here and throughout eternity!
Brenda: Are you involved in serving in your community or church? What, if any, ministries or organizations are you a part of?
Marie: Yes, retreats, choir, and hand bell choir!
Brenda: Tell us one thing you LOVE about being single and one thing you hate (or your biggest struggle) about being single.
Marie: I love when I have time to enjoy the fact that I am really in the presence of the Almighty! I hate when I am treated as less than others because I am no longer married or did not produce offspring.
Brenda: I imagine there are times when you feel content in your singleness & other times when you want to throw something across the room because of it, but overall, how do you feel about being a single woman? Is there more contentment & peace or more of the opposite?
Marie: Being in my late 50’s, I accept where I am today. I even ran into an old friend who married for the second time at age 80, so there is hope. Please Lord do not make me wait that long for another partner. I hated it when I was younger and made to feel I needed to either get on with it. I also hated feeling like “What is wrong with me and why didn’t I just settle with whatever already.”
Brenda: Do you ever get mad at God because you are single? When bitterness, discontentment, confusion, & even jealousy creep into your mind, how to you deal with it? Do you have a go to person or scripture verse or something else that helps?
Marie: I have never been mad at God about my singleness, hurt perhaps when I was younger, but not mad. I believe as I have aged, particularly in the last so many years, I can see what my Creator can create in my life as I accept where I am. I can accept myself so I feel whole before I am attached to a significant other. I am starting to really look forward to what God has in store for me as I no longer dwell on what is wrong with me but how God plans to transform me right where I am now!
Brenda: How do you deal with loneliness?
Marie: Prayer and attaching myself to activities that I enjoy!
Brenda: Do you struggle with obsessing about guys and dating? Like, if you’re interested in a guy or if you just start dating someone new, do you think about him constantly, analyze every conversation, and get overly attached quickly? Is so (or if not) how do you deal with your emotions?
Marie: I had times that I struggled with all of them and still can, but as I age I realize what a waste of energy and attach myself as much as possible to doing what I can truly enjoy!
Brenda: What is your biggest pet peeve about the way single women are perceived?
Marie: Like I am after someone else’s life or man.
Brenda: Do you struggle with finding community in your local church? How do you find community in a world that seems coupled up?
Marie: Sometimes that can be an issue. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me.
Brenda: Are more of your girlfriends married or single? How do you find authentic friendships as a single woman?
Marie: Usually married depending where I am living. Trial and error.
Brenda: Our perception of you is that you are living a fulfilled, purposeful life as a single woman. You’re not waiting around for marriage, but fulfilling God’s call on your life now. What would you say is your secret to doing this?
Marie: Trusting my Lord Jesus and stepping out each and every day in faith!
Brenda: What words of advice do you have for other single women who want to live with purpose now and not wait for marriage to start their lives?
Maire: Allow yourself to sit and really acknowledge that you are in the presence of the divine Creator of heaven and earth and He has an awesome plan for your life!
Brenda: And some fun stuff!
Brenda: Which do you like best – Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest (or all of it!)?
Marie: I did not grow up with these, so I am still challenged, but as I learn how to navigate I begin to make connections I am able to enjoy! I am not sure of choosing a favorite at this stage of the learning curve.
Brenda: What’s your favorite drink?
Marie: Mineral water with vodka and olives.
Brenda: Do you read more fiction or nonfiction?
Marie: Both.
Brenda: Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Marie: I am an introvert.
Brenda: What’s something quirky about you?
Marie: I have a very dry witty sense of humor.
Brenda: What else do we need to know about you? Where can we connect w/you online?
Marie: You may connect with me here:
https://www.facebook.com/LOVEROFMYSOULMARIEBRIDE
https://www.facebook.com/marie.bride.3
https://twitter.com/marie_bride
http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Marie%20Bride
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/28242969-marie-bride
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