As a single, my life is full of all the joy and blessings God has for me. I don’t consider myself a lesser person because I am not married, despite many of the messages I hear to the contrary. However, I admit that marriage provides certain benefits singles lack. Several benefits are simply inaccessible or inappropriate for singles to experience within the will of God. But there are at least four ways couples can share the love and companionship they experience in marriage with their single friends.

1: Safety

My most favorite home was a little craftsman bungalow in Anderson, South Carolina. It was the cutest, most personable place I have ever enjoyed, and also the least safe. Thankfully, I lived just around the corner from one of the pastors of the church I attended. He and his wife were friends and often encouraged me to call if I ever felt like I was in trouble. This was a wonderful way to provide for me in an area I lacked. You can help the singles in your life in a similar way.

• Be present during Craig’s List exchanges
• Help them evaluate the safety of a neighborhood before they move
• Keep their spare car and house keys
• Be an emergency contact
• Check their tire treads for wear
• Call them for a safety check during first dates

While our ultimate source of security should be Jesus, being a second layer of safety for a single can be a great support.

2: Sounding Board

When a person is contemplating a deep spiritual truth, a modern philosophy, or even a life change, it helps to talk with someone. You can be the sounding board your single friends need.

• Car shop with them
• Read and discuss books with them over coffee
• Help them reason through pros and cons in a time of decision making

You can tell a person to “call anytime” but unless a single truly feels that they won’t be interrupting your kid’s bedtime, they won’t call. Make sure they trust they can count on you, and always be honest if you are unavailable. Knowing that another person has a listening ear for them can give a single great peace of mind.

3: Someone to “Do Life” with

Obviously, couples have a greater advantage here, but it is possible to fill some of this need for singles as well. A few, simple ideas for doing life with a single include:

• Shopping
• Exercising
• Have a crock pot meals prep day
• Girls Night
• Road Trip!
• Paint a room
• Fixing a headlight

Singles aren’t looking to pull you away from your family indefinitely. They may even enjoy spending time with your family under certain circumstances. But while inviting them for dinner can make them feel like a “third wheel,” taking time to be with them on their turf can meet the need for companionship we all desire.

4: Spiritual Development

I am tempted to use the word “prodding” in place of development as couples have a built in “iron sharpening iron” situation. As my friend Christie put it, “when you are sleeping with someone and sharing toothbrush space, it gets real.” It takes more intentionality to provide this for a single, but there are several ways you can help a single go farther in their spiritual walk.

• Engage in purposeful spiritual discussion
• Ministry projects
• Fasting
• Praying
• Memorizing Scripture

While it is natural for couples to turn to each other for all of these needs, I challenge you to choose one way to bless a single this week as an act of service. Being the body of Christ means that we are all connected, married and single alike. Going outside of our comfort bubbles to help another Christian is what the church is all about.

Thankfully, I am greatly blessed in my friendships and am able to use many personal examples in the situations listed above. If you are a single that has experienced couples filling in gaps for you, I’d love to hear your stories below. And you couples are welcome to join the conversation too! We’re all family here.