Many a person worries about the welfare of their children as they grow up. "what happens if My daughter never gets married?" or "what if her husband or father dies?" , These are legitimate questions that need appropriate answering.
for question #1, The Bible is our final authority. Look at these statistics: In 2008, 29.4% of men and 22.7% of women ages 18 and over had never married. - U.S. Census Bureau. “America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2008.” (source http://www.unmarried.org/statistics.html)
Or:
"The percentage of adults who are married
declined between 1970 and 2009, from
72 percent to 62 percent for women and from
84 percent to 66 percent for men. In 2009,
15 percent of women and 20 percent of men
had never married, compared to 7 percent and
9 percent, respectively, in 1970. " Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/Women_in_America.pdf
" Historically 85-90 percent of Americans eventually marry. Ninety percent!" (source
http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001325.cfm)
While the rate of marriage did decrease, it is still only approximately a 15-20% chance that you won't get married. This also is only partially true, because this is general America, not christian culture: many women , while they never marry are in "dating" relationships, as a sinful cohabitation. i
Click here to go to an article referring to the "deficit" of Christian men to women.
so that first question is answered: Christian woman are very likely to get married, perhaps not at age 20 (unfortunately), but they
likely will
eventually.It comes down to trust in God. God has the ultimate plan for the Universe, and for every individual in it. whether you decide to wait for God's best, or decide to "do it on your own your own way", God will make it work, but in the second case, not they way He intended or the best way.
Question Number 2 is a tricky one. many woman are left widowed in our country. according to Boundless, (see click here article above) the number of widows to widowers is 4-1 in christian circles. now, what age are these widows?
"The U.S. Census Bureau puts the average age of widowhood at 55." (source: http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/23161.htm)
So, this If it happens, will likely happen when the woman is older, and has children to help care for her.
This is how it was intended to be in the Bible. I believe that a daughter or son should take in an elderly parent(s), this is a way of repaying them for all they did for you, it is also a biblically sound model portrayed by Ruth and Naomi in the book of Ruth.
God does not plan for anyone to be outside of families, alone. The only group of people I find in the Bible living on their own unmarried men. take a look at Paul, or Jacob. Still though, they lived
with or
near families most of their Christian or Jewish lives.difference: They cared for themselves. Paul Made tents to sell, he made his own money,
even while serving God!
Now back question #2: what about if their father dies? Girls, Don't be without some kind of skill that can make money
from home. now, the only mention of women being alone is widowed or divorced women, not unmarried. But even then, many a girl moved back to her father's house (mentioned in Leviticus). Why can't a daughter help the wife of one of her Brothers? or , perhaps, assist her unmarried brother in his mission or vision? she would make things to sell or what not to earn extra income for herself and his home, But she certainly should not be alone, especially in her youth (twenties).
Perhaps she can move in with a family from the church who has a bunch of little children and needs a hand. this is not only providing a home, but reciprocating a service to the poor tired wife!
These are some simple answers for the few tough questions. The summary of the whole page is really Trust God, keep His commandments, and follow His ways, and He will lead you to hope.
His chosen Bride! Enter now! Ends tonight, May 22nd!
