You've been outsourced.

Last fall, I went through a stage (which I now refer to as my "contentment phase") when I really needed to understand the gap between my expectations and God's provision. One of the biggest things I wrestled with was the topic of marriage. *I know, I know, no one really wants to hear another single evangelical female ramble on about this.* But the point is, I had to learn that the things I ultimately want (love, companionship, protection, etc.) are, have been, and always will be provided to me in abundance. They don't always come in the format I expect, but God is not limited by my imagination.

Some of you might recognize this quote, lifted from my infamously long essay on the topic:

Protection

Sometimes, when I’m traveling alone, I switch my ring from my right hand to my left just so that if some menacing thug gets any ideas, he might be deterred by the fact that a husband might be waiting for me somewhere. Maybe I’m paranoid—ok, yes, I’m paranoid—but the world is a scary place sometimes. Evil is real. I want a husband because I want someone to look out for me.

And, really, is there anything more lovely than being wrapped up in the arms of a man that you completely trust, knowing that you’re absolutely safe? There’s a reason that people write songs about it, you know.

But speaking of songs . . . how about the one where God has the whole world in His hands? Am I not safe because He wills it? The human arms that God has wrapped around me—the arms of my father, my brothers, my friends, and perhaps eventually a husband—these are merely tangible manifestations of God’s protection. And no offense to the men in my life—some of whom happen to be very, very strong—but, their arms are not even the most powerful layers of protection at His command.

If God is for me, who can be against me?

I've outsourced my own protection directly to God, rather than looking around for a particular man to fill this role. I'm better off because of it.

So what's stopping me from applying this principle to the rest of my life?

To say that I have strong sisterly instincts would an understatement. When I met my best friend's husband (then boyfriend) for the first time, I introduced myself by saying, "Hi. I'm so glad to meet you! But just so you know, if you ever hurt her, I'll beat you down. Ok?" Basically, if I love you, I instinctively feel the need to guard your heart like it's my own.

Friends (you know who you are), I've done many of you a disservice by trying to help you too much. I admit that sometimes I view your friendship as a stewardship issue. I find myself foolishly thinking that because you've been placed in my life, your heart has been entrusted to my care. We'd all be better off if I just let go and concentrated on being your friend, rather than your body guard.

From this point forward, consider yourself outsourced.