A single friend who recently moved posted a note on her Facebook page: \u201cWas trying out a new church on Sunday when the pastor announced that his November sermon series would be about marriage. \u201d\u02dcAnd what if you\u2019re not married?\u2019 he asked us. \u201d\u02dcWell, Scripture says \u201cLet marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.\u201d\u009d\u2019<\/p>\n
Not the most welcoming way of putting it. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d\u009d my friend responded. \u201cIn other words, singles, suck it up. Won\u2019t be returning there.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Most of the responses were supportive, as you\u2019d expect from friends, but several dismissed her concerns or told her, in various ways, to suck it up and stop whining. Other single friends, including widows and single mothers who were single because their loutish husbands left them for Miss Suzy Cupcake, have told me they don\u2019t talk about their struggles because the chances of being dismissed or patronized or even condemned are too high.<\/p>\n