We always want something, don't we? We're always in the position of continuously and routinely 'needing' something, craving for that 'something' that will ultimately 'make' us happy and fulfill us.
And it always comes a time in life when your only need is of a partner. A soul mate. A husband. A wife. A friend and a lover that can be with you forever, enriching you and beautifying you. That will see you as God sees you and love you with that love that will move mountains today and tomorrow. And it seems like the more you 'need' this person, the more it looks like the person doesn't even exist.
It feels like you were procrastinated to be single. And lonely. Alone. Always single.
Your friends fall in love and get married. They are having the best times of their lives (or so they tell you). And you feel 'left out'. You wonder what is wrong with you. You pray even harder and louder. You look over your shoulder every few seconds - just to check the guy behind you off 'the list'. You desperately pray and pray but the heaven is silent. Always silent. Annoyingly silent.
I have felt like that for a long time. I was the last one that met 'the one'. All my friends had met their 'mate' and started happy families. But somehow I was left behind. I felt sad, annoyed, unloved and so lonely. Whenever I acknowledged God, I decided to speak His words into my life over and over again: words of blessings, words of happiness and enjoyment. Words of peace. And then, I relaxed and I let it all go. I was ready to become a nun. Happily, my hubby came along soon after. And everything changed.
I encourage you to reach to your heart and plead to God for what it is there. There will be a time when God will answer. God's answers are "YES" and "A-men".
It feels like you were procrastinated to be single. And lonely. Alone. Always single.
Your friends fall in love and get married. They are having the best times of their lives (or so they tell you). And you feel 'left out'. You wonder what is wrong with you. You pray even harder and louder. You look over your shoulder every few seconds - just to check the guy behind you off 'the list'. You desperately pray and pray but the heaven is silent. Always silent. Annoyingly silent.
I have felt like that for a long time. I was the last one that met 'the one'. All my friends had met their 'mate' and started happy families. But somehow I was left behind. I felt sad, annoyed, unloved and so lonely. Whenever I acknowledged God, I decided to speak His words into my life over and over again: words of blessings, words of happiness and enjoyment. Words of peace. And then, I relaxed and I let it all go. I was ready to become a nun. Happily, my hubby came along soon after. And everything changed.
I encourage you to reach to your heart and plead to God for what it is there. There will be a time when God will answer. God's answers are "YES" and "A-men".
In this post, I am going to give you few hints of how to prepare to meet the one. I have years of dating experience (a tiring and a not very satisfying hobby, I tell you) and I have observed many couples meet, interact and blossom together.
So, how should we prepare to meet the one?
"Rules":
1. Stay where you are!
Stay in your calling. Do not flee to greener pastures just because there are no available guys/girls in the circles you move. Do not feel pressured to swap churches and emigrate to places with a higher density of 'the one'. While getting involved in more activities that you feel called to it's advisable allways; please know that God will meet you where you are. If God gave you a calling and placed you somewhere, then that's where you need to be. You do not need to go and do things that are not 'you', so be yourself and be patient. Stay where you are!
2. Be honest at all times!
Be honest with yourself and with anyone you meet. Being honest with anyone you meet might appear that it leaves you vulnerable (which can easily happen to foolish people). But honesty makes wise and humble people stronger. Honesty can make you stronger.When you are honest, people are honest to you too. It's a heart thing. Let them know you as you are; you will see that only some will stick to you. Be thankful for these, they are your team, rely on them!
3. Be open to anything!
Be open to life and what comes with it! Some people preach cautiousness and they sell you this frame of regulations that your future spouse should by all means 'comply with'. What I feel is that dating is such a personal thing that only personal rules should stay valid. You are an individual and you should make your selection based on what you believe in, feel called to and ultimately want to. Being open gives you the benefits of a non judgmental approach -which frees you from any preconceived ideas. This state of mind and attitude makes you fully expectant and recipient of God's unending grace.
4. Do something about it!
It is funny and childish to see people believe that Prince Charming or Princess Juliet will one day just fall off the skies in front of them. It is so funny and intriguing to realize that we prepare for our careers and our house down payment but we never seriously prepare for our married life. As we prepare for a job, polishing up our resume, selecting our clothes and doing our hair, so we should prepare for dating. What matters most in a resume is the skills and knowledge you have - and these have been learnt over a period of many years. What matters most in dating and marriage are matters of heart and character - and these take time to get accomplished too. So this is where your preparation should start: working on these 'life skills' that we'll make you have a blessed life.
Then, just do something: make yourself visible and pleasant wherever you are. Keeping your heart close to God and praying at all times, let your character shine! And you can even try online. It is a bit interesting, but over the last few years most of my friends met their spouses online. Other did through common friends and blind dates. God can use anything and anyone to resource.
5. Wait expectantly!
Waiting should'n be passive and depressing. Waiting should just be a personal preparation for a life in two. Work hard, stay in shape and be beautiful, get involved in church or in whatever your call is. Decide to be the best whatever you do and wherever you are and decide to help others do the same.
The fact is, God works in miraculous ways and He loves making all things new. God wants to give you a special love story that is not like anyone else's. He wants to make your love story unique and He is working on that. So please worship Him, make Him your best friend, pour your heart to Him and be open to receive His gift from Him - it will come!
We have examples in the Bible of might women of God who waited expectantly. I personally love the story of Ruth. Ruth felt called to take care of Naomi and to follow Naomi. She followed her calling and was honest about it. Ruth was open to leaving behind any bit of familiarity and comfort: she left her country for a foreign and poor one. She was open to working hard and she worked hard. But Ruth did not like being a foreigner, a widow and a poor woman in this new country. Ruth decided to change her future and boldly did something that many would not: she humbled herself asking to be helped. And she was did get not only her prayers answered, but she was blessed beyond any of her wildest dream.
So, all my single ladies, there are better times to come, and there are dreams to be fulfilled.
Let's just not praise God for His Sovereignty:
34:1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
2. Be honest at all times!
Be honest with yourself and with anyone you meet. Being honest with anyone you meet might appear that it leaves you vulnerable (which can easily happen to foolish people). But honesty makes wise and humble people stronger. Honesty can make you stronger.When you are honest, people are honest to you too. It's a heart thing. Let them know you as you are; you will see that only some will stick to you. Be thankful for these, they are your team, rely on them!
3. Be open to anything!
Be open to life and what comes with it! Some people preach cautiousness and they sell you this frame of regulations that your future spouse should by all means 'comply with'. What I feel is that dating is such a personal thing that only personal rules should stay valid. You are an individual and you should make your selection based on what you believe in, feel called to and ultimately want to. Being open gives you the benefits of a non judgmental approach -which frees you from any preconceived ideas. This state of mind and attitude makes you fully expectant and recipient of God's unending grace.
4. Do something about it!
It is funny and childish to see people believe that Prince Charming or Princess Juliet will one day just fall off the skies in front of them. It is so funny and intriguing to realize that we prepare for our careers and our house down payment but we never seriously prepare for our married life. As we prepare for a job, polishing up our resume, selecting our clothes and doing our hair, so we should prepare for dating. What matters most in a resume is the skills and knowledge you have - and these have been learnt over a period of many years. What matters most in dating and marriage are matters of heart and character - and these take time to get accomplished too. So this is where your preparation should start: working on these 'life skills' that we'll make you have a blessed life.
Then, just do something: make yourself visible and pleasant wherever you are. Keeping your heart close to God and praying at all times, let your character shine! And you can even try online. It is a bit interesting, but over the last few years most of my friends met their spouses online. Other did through common friends and blind dates. God can use anything and anyone to resource.
5. Wait expectantly!
Waiting should'n be passive and depressing. Waiting should just be a personal preparation for a life in two. Work hard, stay in shape and be beautiful, get involved in church or in whatever your call is. Decide to be the best whatever you do and wherever you are and decide to help others do the same.
The fact is, God works in miraculous ways and He loves making all things new. God wants to give you a special love story that is not like anyone else's. He wants to make your love story unique and He is working on that. So please worship Him, make Him your best friend, pour your heart to Him and be open to receive His gift from Him - it will come!
We have examples in the Bible of might women of God who waited expectantly. I personally love the story of Ruth. Ruth felt called to take care of Naomi and to follow Naomi. She followed her calling and was honest about it. Ruth was open to leaving behind any bit of familiarity and comfort: she left her country for a foreign and poor one. She was open to working hard and she worked hard. But Ruth did not like being a foreigner, a widow and a poor woman in this new country. Ruth decided to change her future and boldly did something that many would not: she humbled herself asking to be helped. And she was did get not only her prayers answered, but she was blessed beyond any of her wildest dream.
So, all my single ladies, there are better times to come, and there are dreams to be fulfilled.
Let's just not praise God for His Sovereignty:
| Wedding cake!!! |
34:1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out.
God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.
Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him.
When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.
God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.
Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.
Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.
Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
Who out there has a lust for life? Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty
Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace-don’t let it get away!
God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.
God won’t put up with rebels; he’ll cull them from the pack.
Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.
If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.
He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.
The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good.God pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to him loses out. (Ps. 34:1-22 MSG)
Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out.
God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.
Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him.
When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.
God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.
Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.
Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.
Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
Who out there has a lust for life? Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty
Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace-don’t let it get away!
God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.
God won’t put up with rebels; he’ll cull them from the pack.
Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.
If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.
He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.
The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good.God pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to him loses out. (Ps. 34:1-22 MSG)
| He's always holding your hand |
No comments:
Post a Comment