Rent-A-Boyfriend Scheme

Last night, I was browsing some things on Youtube when I stumbled upon this short video clip of a show in Japan. It was actually disturbingly pitiful. There, they have this thing called "Rent-A-Boyfriend". From what I watched last night, there was a single woman there probably my age or a bit older who was still single. She worked in a 24/7 hair salon in Japan and I think she spent most of her time there. Then for her socialization, she would often go to clubs, host clubs as they called it wherein she would "rent" a "man" to be her "host" to "entertain" her for the night. For a fee of course and I believe the amount was not a joke. There, they would share stories, they would pour her drinks which of course were also expensive and they would drink the night away. Afterwards, when all the drinks were spent and they were tired and bored already, they would bid themselves adieu and that was it. I just felt sad for the woman for looking at her and hearing her speak though I could not understand her (thanks for the subtitles), I still could sense the deep sadness and hurt she was having in her heart. That she would even go to that extent just to find company, just to get attention that she needed. That she was willing to pay such a huge amount of hard-earned money just for those services that we could actually get and give for free if we were not so self-absorbed and selfish. Yet, I think it was her choice. According to her, she lived far from her own family and in fact they did not have any idea where she lived. Probably, they had not seen one another for a long time already. I am not so sure also if she had any friends, female friends. As with sex, well according to her, she could just call any of her ex-boyfriends if they felt like doing it. That was it. Very casual. Very shallow. Very sad. She did not want commitment. She did not believe in marriage. Maybe, she had her own family history so who am I to judge her? I just feel sad for her. Really I do. Thinking about my own life, I am grateful for I do not have to go that length just to feel loved and accepted. No, I am not saying these things in a condescending manner but I just feel so blessed that I do not have to pay for love and affection. That I have my own immediate, albeit dysfunctional family who I know at the end of the day still has concern for me. That I have friends, albeit few I know are sincere and true. That I have a social circle, albeit minimal still is a sensible one. And most of all, I have God albeit unseen I know is still here, ever present, ever felt. I do not have much money, my work will never make me a rich person but I know that it does makes sense and it helps me become a better person, helping me find my life's purpose. Compared to that Japanese woman's life, though she may have a seemingly independent, free-spirited and charmed life, I still have a more meaningful one. And that makes it sadder all the same. Sadder for her, I mean. I have this compelling feeling to just pray for that woman whoever she is. Though I may not know her and perhaps will never will, still she is still a human being who needs God and people in her life to make her feel complete. She needs God more than anyone else so that she will not have to pay for any man's services just to make her feel loved and happy. I still do not have a boyfriend. Yes, I had my bouts of depression and insecurities but seeing that woman's life, I just feel so guilty from being so. Yet, I am not undermining these feelings for they were true during those moments but looking on a proper perspective, there has to be a reason why I am still a single woman. That I still have to learn a lot of things as a single person for I will never pass this way again once I am hitched already. Of course, I still want to have a family of my own, I really love to have my own kids to nurture and my husband to take care of and partner with but probably it is not yet my time. I still have things to finish like my studies. I think I have a purpose, a profound one that is why I am studying this course. Going back to that woman, I just hope that she would have the chance to get to know God in a deeper way. That she would be able to open her heart to Him. I also pray for those guys who worked as hosts, for them to have a transformation and change the way they're living. I believe they are not bad as they are, only they were not doing the right things. I just hope that people would be more sensitive to the need of others, that we become more compassionate and loving especially to those who are wounded and unloved. And it can start with me. I pray that it could start with me.