Getting to Know Maddie Curnan from the Wholehearted Quiet Time Staff
By Grace McCready
Since Valentine’s Day is in February and this holiday can be especially hard for us single ladies, I thought it would be great to hear from someone who’s thriving as a single woman. Maddie Curnan seemed like the perfect choice. I met her at the Wholehearted Quiet Time Retreat last year, and she was so hospitable and helpful. I decided to interview her for this post, and I can’t wait for you to read what she has to say.
Q1. I know you’re the Social Media Coordinator & Graphic Designer for Wholehearted Quiet Time. What else do you want readers to know about you?
A1. I am also in graduate school right now in a web design program, so my days are filled with lots of coding and some graphic design as well. I’ve always been a creative person, and I’ve loved being able to build my skills through this job and my master’s program.
Q2. Tell me about your life as a Christian single girl. Have you dated very often, have you ever experienced a bad breakup, are you in a relationship right now, and do you see yourself getting married in the future?
A2. I have been on dates with a handful of guys but I’ve only ever had one serious long-term relationship. I’m in a period of singleness right now. I don’t know what the future holds but I am hopeful it will one day include marriage. I’m trying to hold this season with open hands right now and not rush what God is teaching me here.
Q3. What has been the hardest aspect of being single?
A3. Personally, I think the hardest aspect of being single has been remaining in truth and not believing lies. I see this through lies I’ve told myself or bought into: marriage is the ultimate goal, a relationship will solve all of my problems, etc. I also see this through lies Satan has tried to convince me of: my worth depends on my relationship status, I am unlovable, I am unwanted, etc. One of the best ways to combat these lies is with the truth of God’s Word.
Q4. What has been the best aspect of being single?
A4. The ability to pour into other relationships has been wonderful. My time is spent pouring into and building community where I am right now, and it has been a major blessing to me. Although community is important whether you are single or in a relationship, this stage of life has provided freedom and flexibility, which has allowed me to devote time and energy to building and deepening relationships within my church and friends.
Q5. How have your expectations about dating and marriage changed over the years?
A5. I think my goals and desires have changed and grown over the years. There have certainly been times when I have placed marriage or a relationship on a pedestal. A frequent prayer of mine over the past year has been for God to transform my desires to match His, and I have seen that play out in what I expect of myself, what I look for in someone else, and what I hope for in a marriage one day.
Q6. What helpful things do you do to “cope” with being single? On lonely days, what do you find beneficial for your heart and mind?
A6. Invest in your community. Accept invitations from friends in different stages of life. Don’t let the idea of being the “single friend” stop you. Confide in friends who are in similar seasons. Build one another up. Pour out your heart to God. Pray for your future husband and marriage.
Q7. How have you seen God working in your singleness?
A7. I have seen God do a lot of work in my singleness over the past year as I have grown to become content in where He has placed me. He has opened my eyes to see the sweetness and blessings of this season, such as the time I get to spend with Him, and the time I get to spend with friends and family. He has also been teaching me how much everyday faithfulness in this season matters. It can be easy for me to fall into the trap of “when my real life starts, I’ll do…” He has graciously shown me the importance of my choices now and how building habits now is important so that I can remain faithful in seasons to come.
Q8. If you could tell our single readers one thing, what would it be?
A8. It is good to enjoy this season. That doesn’t mean there won’t be hard days or struggles which come with it, but there is a lot of good in this season. Being content where God has called you to be and what He has called you to do, is beautiful. Having a boyfriend or a husband doesn’t fix all of the problems, and it doesn’t make you worth any more. Jesus can work in you and through you in any season, and that doesn’t change based on your relationship status.
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About Grace: Enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out with friends, and watching her favorite TV shows. She is the author of Real Recovery: What Eating Disorder Recovery Actually Looks Like (2022). She shares her struggles at her blog, Tizzie’s Tidbits of Truth. |