I had lots of work firsts this week. Here are a few:
(1) I took a day trip to Texas in my client's plane; it was the first time I'd ever flown non-commercially, and I seriously prefer skipping (1) Atlanta traffic, (2) security, (3) parking, and (4) mediocre airplane food and service, and (5) sitting around and waiting in the airport. Having a private terminal, two pilots at our beck and call, much more space, a rental Navigator waiting 20 feet from our plane, and catered meals is really much more my style:) Ha. Downside: no restroom on the plane. There was a funnel, however, for emergencies.
(2) A client explained to me how important sex was in a marriage and how he couldn't blame his children for having premarital sex. I just listened for a while, but then of course, I opened my big mouth and said that I was cool trusting God with my future marriage (and sex life) just like I tried to trust Him with every other part of my life. I also noted that some of my married friends could vouch for the fact that premarital sex is not always the best predictor of marital sex. He told me that I was probably missing out on a lot of great future husbands and fathers by refusing to have premarital sex.
(3) I was grilled by two of my clients (and in front of my boss) about my love life or lack thereof. "How old are you? What, you're really 30?" "You really don't have a boyfriend?" "Do you realize the longer you wait, the fewer people there are going to be for you to marry?" "What are you looking for in a husband?" "Well, what else are you looking for?" "Do you realize how important genetics are?"
(4) Another client explained to my boss and me that she wasn't taken seriously by some men that we had met with because she didn't have a "camera lense." I said I didn't understand. She and my boss just looked at me. Then she said "I don't have the correct anatomy." And I said "I still don't understand." And then it hit me. Am I stupid? I never would have put a camera lense and male anatomy together on my own.
Anyway, after waking up at 4 a.m. to fly to Texas, spending the day there, returning, driving to C-town, running 6 miles, and shopping at Walmart, it's bedtime. May the weekend begin. Hope yours is delightful. And if you had any firsts this week, I'd love to read about them.
p.s. I'm grateful for 24 hour stores, so that I can get my grocery shopping over with and have food for breakfast without getting out in the rain.
20 comments:
Did your client tell you that you have a greater chance of getting struck by lightening than of getting married too?
Ally I loved this post! Really!
Clearly Boy Wonder was not an immaculate conception. Before I became a Christian I was an excellent heathen, so I can say objectively that pre-marital sex is over rated and there is ALWAYS, no matter how in love you think you are, something missing (that something would be God). Besides I totally suck when it comes to choosing men for myself, so like you I'm happy to trust God for my future husband (and sex life). In fact, I'm depending on Him.
As for you missing out on a great potential husband/father of your future children. You're NOT missing out on anything Ally, except what God DOESN'T want for you. His timing is always perfect and the husband He has for you will be the right man for you.
Remember, God doesn't make mistakes. Ever.
People are absolutely fascinated that I'm celibate and I have a child. My secular friends can, and do, discuss this topic for hours!
Maybe I'm stupid, but I don't get the 'camera lense' thing. At all!
Have an awesome weekend.
So all I could think as I read about these work place conversational encounters was...INAPPROPRIATE, INVASIVE and UNWELCOME in a work setting.
The private plane sounded great though.
I feel your pain. I'm (gasp) 31 and it it's people like my very own mother who have given up hope on my ever getting married.
Fortunately, I have a classroom full of nine-year-olds who don't think it's odd at all that I'm not married, and if I want to be, I will be, just like if I wanted to be an astronaut or paleontologist I could just go be one. It balances it all out.
And a local pastor has been talking about sex enough to get on CNN, so it's all the topic here. And as one who made the wrong choices even after giving my heart to Jesus, it's not all it's cracked up to be if it's not what God wants for you, be it sex or any other choice you make.
And I'm so jealous of your plane ride. And I'm beginning too many sentences with the word and.
Even though you told me these stories on the phone last night, I still love reading them in your brilliant writing style (and laughing again)!
I LOVED kylie's comments...thanks kylie, I so needed that encouragement today.
Isabella :)
Thanks guys for these comments; it was so good to wake up this morning and read these.
Thomas: I think he said I had a greater chance of being killed be a terrorist....(j/k)
Kylie: Ah, I'm right there with you when it comes to not choosing the best guys for me; taking sex out of the equation has helped me immeasurably in that. As for your friends discussing your celibacy for hours--what a great (albeit sometimes annoying) opportunity to share your faith. That has definitely sparked a lot of the opportunities I've had to share my faith.
Seized by Hope: I agree. Fortunately I'm not easily offended, but if I were, there's not much I could do that wouldn't jeopardize the "professional" relationship.
Jennifer: Thank you for your comment. 31 is not old! I don't get why people think this is such a dire circumstance, and even if our singleness is, God likes to work in "miracle territory!" And I've noticed myself beginning lots of sentences with and too:)
Isabella: I love it when you comment! Hope you're feeling better.
Personally, I'm getting to the point where I'm thoroughly entertained when folks' jaws drop when they hear I've been dating someone for two years without sex. Oh, what a world we live in.
Aaron: Yeah, I generally don't mind that shock factor either (and I totally understand it b/c I thought not having sex was pretty weird just five years ago); I just don't like these sorts of conversations in work settings.
I can't believe your colleagues talk like that to you! WOW!!!!
Even after you explained, the whole camera lense thing is just weird.
Isabella - You're so very welcome. Even though I have no idea what I said that encouraged you.
God gets the credit for it, regardless.
Funny how we have to listen to clients spill their guts on things we'd rather keep to ourselves.
I gave my first presentation this week. Nerve wrecking to say the least.
Clients never cease to amaze me. They can wear me out.
I'm so jealous of your plane ride!
I'm still trying to figure out the camera lense thing. I don't get it either.
Wow, a private jet. SO cool.
Jennifer: I finally figured it out but just couldn't believe she said it.
Sara Jane: At least they keep it entertaining....
FC&F: I hope it went well. At least it can only get easier...I have my first hearing in two years today; I'll be glad to have it behind me.
tc: Thankfully they are NOT my colleagues; they are my clients, so it's not permanent:)
The private jet sound super cool, except for the part where there was no bathroom.
That was a bit harsh to say that you'd be missing out on future husbands by not having sex with them before marriage - if a guy loves you he loves you regardless of whether you're humping each other's brains out before, during or after the marriage! And vice versa of course ;)
Get you and your private jet! How very exciting :)
What a great post! So many firsts you had in one week! I can tell you as one who entered her marriage with a not-so-proud sexual past and married a man who waited to have sex that waiting is the answer! The issues we both experienced due to my promiscuity were not worth it. I assure you! Stick to it, honey! God does know what's best for us! I love that you responded to your client and told him you disagreed!
Sounds like you have quite the job! I can't believe people are always so willing to share their opinions on everything!
A friend of mine has only ever taken her first and ONLY flight on a private plane. I told her she was forever spoiled. lol!
I hate when people start getting too nosey about your personal life. I suppose some don't mind sharing but I personally find it so invasive. Especially with someone you are not really close to.
It just took me about 5 minutes to figure out the camera lens deal :)
No bathroom in the plane?! I guess because they are usually smaller... but thats awesome you got to take one!
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