Now and Not Yet: Making Sense of Single Life in the Twenty-First Century

by Jennifer A. Marshall

Nine out of ten young women say they're hoping for marriage, but three out of ten women are still single at thirty. The difference between life here and life hoped for can be disillusioning-and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159052649X
• ISBN13: 9781590526491
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 198 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Thought Proviking

The issue of singleness in the evangelical church (meaning primarily single women who would like to be married) is pervasive. As an older man with some leadership responsibilities in my church, I wanted to learn more about this issue and this book really helped me see the challenge from the perspective of those who face it. It does NOT provide answers to this unanswerable question. However, it does provide food for thought. As a result, I think I can relate better to those for whom this is a major problem and, hopefully, be helpful to them.

Not your everyday Christian singles book

I once worked for Jennifer Marshall (full disclosure), so I knew she was smart, articulate, and sincere! But I was still pleasantly surprised by the depth of her insights in this book. This is not your everyday "Christian single ladies' manual." Jennifer takes an honest, clear-eyed look at the gap between where so many of us are and where we had expected and hoped to be, and the struggles we face while trying to make a life in that place. (Am I where I should be? How do others see me? What adjustments will I need to make if the opportunity for family life comes along?) And she offers wise and compassionate guidance on how to live a balanced and fruitful life no matter where we find ourselves, even as we work on preparing ourselves for what might be coming. She also does a great job of helping defuse today's version of the war between the sexes by explaining how we see each other, and what factors distort that view and cloud our judgment. A must-read, not just for single women (and men too), but for anyone trying to understand the new and strange landscape both single and married people are facing today.

Your First Purpose

I'm not in Kansas anymore either, Toto. This book re-emphasized that the easy-dating-evolving-into-marriage decade is history (for now) and that I, as a parent from that era, am inexperienced in delivering firsthand knowledge of "what you should do today" if you are single. Bottom line: Your calling is not something you wait for, but the something that is at hand today. If you are a single, Christian woman following your main purpose to reflect Christ, then consider that God is using you to be single for now, for HIS highest glory. It's not Plan A or Plan B marriage scheming that is profitable, but Plan G, the God Plan, that is pertinent. What a great way to assess your spiritual agreement with God. It's a valuable test for your TRUE, spiritual ambition.

Validating and Encouraging

Jennifer Marshall provides an honest and insightful look at the young, single woman. She met me where I am and where so many of my friends are too. I did not finish the book anxiously awaiting the arrival of my prince charming, but rather hopeful of the plans the Lord has for my life, whatever they may be. The identifiable testimonies of so many women from across the country are both validating and encouraging. Marshall's illustrations and Biblical context challenged me to see my life from many different perspectives. It is an important read for any single woman (or single woman's mother). Our lives are purposeful, and we should live them with intentionality and balance no matter the season.