By Nancy Virden (c)2026

Little girls lean in to watch a daisy’s prediction as one child sits in the grass in the middle, pulling out one petal at a time. “He loves me; he loves me not.” Straining to see and holding their breath, the romanticizing dreamers wait. He loves me is simultaneous with the last petal!! Oh, she laughs! The audience chatters, setting in motion a plot to get said boy to meet the daisy-hopeful girl.

He loves me; he loves me not. Daisies are my favorite flowers, but I do not believe they can predict true love. My daisy-affirmed boy in third grade gave me a ring. I moved away, and time and distance destroyed the dream.

Usually, it is fine being on my own. The day my abusive husband moved out was a relief. It was the first time in my 53 years that no abuser lived in my home. I’ve had no interest in changing my single status and am glad to have the freedom to be myself.

However, lately, aloneness has been getting old. I am getting old. I lost the ability to drive and sold my car. I lost my church and ministry there (although God provided another outlet). A new job has me spinning half the time. These are big changes, and it would be nice to have someone to come alongside, support me, and make everything okay. Do I want a rescue? You bet!

However, think about that. No one man can be for me what a slew of my friends can. What if God chooses to meet all our needs through neighbors, friends, co-workers, those in helping professions, and our own resources instead of a so-called ‘soul mate’?

I share a house with a widow who, I tease, “Lets me sneak in under the garage door once in a while.” I have a room, half an office, and a niche in the basement for art and storage. Tomorrow, she is putting in a stair glide for the basement steps. (That’s for me, by the way!)

Our “rescue” from difficult situations is not owed to us. We are blessed to have anything we need. Sitting around and dreaming of an easier road does nothing to help and may make us miserable. God gives us strength when we rely completely on Him. He leads us to where help is available. He grows our independent spirits.

His true love for us is never a violation, and we do not need a daisy to tell us that.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Psalm 33: 20-22

We put our hope in the Lord.
    He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
    for our hope is in you alone.

If you are feeling suicidal or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S., call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room; in the EU, call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here.) Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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