Soooo, I'm in Grad School. That alone is a testimony in itself. I can't even thank God enough! For more on that journey, check out thegradualprocess.tumblr.com
ANYWAYS... Going to a grad school out of state seems to be one of the motivating factors for why so many people have encouraged me to get on online dating sites. Before now, I never thought of online dating of anything other than a LAST resort. Of course, I will never knock anyone for being on dating websites; to each his own. As for me... Maybe I'm being traditional, old-fashioned or picky. But I cannot let go of the belief that God has some amazing man in store for me and all I have to do is continue to walk in the path that God has for me.
I'm reminded of a word God gave to me this summer:
I was going to be a camp counselor for the second half of the summer and company regulations required camp counselors to wear a one piece dark, solid colored bathing suit. Of course, my bathing suit was orange and yellow with flowers, so I set out to find a bathing suit. Mind you, this was
mid-summer and the pickings were slim. I went from store to store with no luck. Finally, I entered a store that had only a few bathing suits left. I remember feeling like there was no way that I was going to find a bathing suit that fit me of the 10 left hanging. But, what do you know? I found one! And it was perfect. Everything that I needed.
God really spoke to my heart at that time. It was something to the effect of, "You don't need many options to pick from. You just need the right one and when you find that one, there will be no question in your mind. He will be everything you need."
So, I'm ok with not having too many options. God knows best. This is HIS project.
What project do you need to place in God's Hands?
Selah [pause and think]
Showing posts with label standards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label standards. Show all posts
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Single?
Red. Pink. White. Hearts. Sappy Hallmark cards. Chocolate. Flowers. Couples. Dates. It must be "Single Awareness Day."
So it's Valentine's Day and for many of us single Christians, Jesus is our valentine. Right now, I know that God is working on me and preparing me to be the woman He has called me to be and I'm cool with that but it's not easy. I'm gonna share some practical tips that have definitely helped/are helping me keep my focus where it needs to be. These are in no particular order nor are they a magic cure for loneliness and insecurities that sometimes accompany being single.
1. Seek God first.
Seek Him first and EVERYTHING else follows (Matthew 6:33). Share feelings of loneliness with God. Have constant heart checks to make sure your heart is focused on Him. Commit every crush into His hands; that will definitely make life so much easier. Remember, He's using this time to mold and grow you. God doesn't hold anything good from those who are doing His will (Psalm 84:11). Everything will be revealed in its time and it will be at the right place at the right time with the right person (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Also, it's a great idea to begin praying for your future spouse. Though you may not know exactly who they are, it's good to just lift them up to God. We all need prayer, don't we?
2. Have realistic, godly standards
Don't be in such a rush to be in a relationship that you forgo your standards, but make sure they're realistic. Wanting a tall, fine, light-skinned brother, 6' 1" who drives a BMW or Mercedes and makes 6 figures is probably a bit unrealistic. It definitely helps to write down the spiritual attributes you want your spouse to have. I found that 1 Timothy 3:1-13 is a great outline of what I want my husband to be like. Remember that a lot of the romance you see in the movies, hear in songs and read about are made up and God is way more creative than that.
3. Be content
I was reading Alyssa Joy's blog (here) and she said that whatever stage you're in is God's best for you. Don't be jealous of those around you who are in relationships. Your time is coming. We don't always see it, but God knows exactly why He wants us to be single at this time. Accept yourself flaws and all and remember you are worth it and God sees you as precious. That being said, Get to work! Before you know it you'll be in a relationship, a wife/husband, mother/father and all that jazz. So use your singleness wisely. Get involved at church or any where else that you can be a positive impact on others.
4. Don't forget the greatest Love
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13) No matter what, there is a Love that looks past your faults and mistakes. He's jealous for you and He desires to be the One that you run to in every situation. He is the perfect example of what true love looks like. Let Him love you.
These are just a few of the ways to embrace this temporary season of your life. Took me a while to get to this place and I still have a ways to go, but with God ALL things are possible. More of my thoughts on relationships and stuff: Loving me Love story for the books Worth it Treat yourself today. Ain't no shame in being single. :)
Happy Valentine's Day! Make someone smile today!
Selah [pause and think]
So it's Valentine's Day and for many of us single Christians, Jesus is our valentine. Right now, I know that God is working on me and preparing me to be the woman He has called me to be and I'm cool with that but it's not easy. I'm gonna share some practical tips that have definitely helped/are helping me keep my focus where it needs to be. These are in no particular order nor are they a magic cure for loneliness and insecurities that sometimes accompany being single.
1. Seek God first.
Seek Him first and EVERYTHING else follows (Matthew 6:33). Share feelings of loneliness with God. Have constant heart checks to make sure your heart is focused on Him. Commit every crush into His hands; that will definitely make life so much easier. Remember, He's using this time to mold and grow you. God doesn't hold anything good from those who are doing His will (Psalm 84:11). Everything will be revealed in its time and it will be at the right place at the right time with the right person (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Also, it's a great idea to begin praying for your future spouse. Though you may not know exactly who they are, it's good to just lift them up to God. We all need prayer, don't we?
2. Have realistic, godly standards
Don't be in such a rush to be in a relationship that you forgo your standards, but make sure they're realistic. Wanting a tall, fine, light-skinned brother, 6' 1" who drives a BMW or Mercedes and makes 6 figures is probably a bit unrealistic. It definitely helps to write down the spiritual attributes you want your spouse to have. I found that 1 Timothy 3:1-13 is a great outline of what I want my husband to be like. Remember that a lot of the romance you see in the movies, hear in songs and read about are made up and God is way more creative than that.
3. Be content
I was reading Alyssa Joy's blog (here) and she said that whatever stage you're in is God's best for you. Don't be jealous of those around you who are in relationships. Your time is coming. We don't always see it, but God knows exactly why He wants us to be single at this time. Accept yourself flaws and all and remember you are worth it and God sees you as precious. That being said, Get to work! Before you know it you'll be in a relationship, a wife/husband, mother/father and all that jazz. So use your singleness wisely. Get involved at church or any where else that you can be a positive impact on others.
4. Don't forget the greatest Love
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13) No matter what, there is a Love that looks past your faults and mistakes. He's jealous for you and He desires to be the One that you run to in every situation. He is the perfect example of what true love looks like. Let Him love you.
These are just a few of the ways to embrace this temporary season of your life. Took me a while to get to this place and I still have a ways to go, but with God ALL things are possible. More of my thoughts on relationships and stuff: Loving me Love story for the books Worth it Treat yourself today. Ain't no shame in being single. :)
Happy Valentine's Day! Make someone smile today!
Selah [pause and think]
Monday, July 2, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
It ain't easy, but it's worth it.
Since being in a long term relationship, I told myself that I wasn't going to date for a year... Then after growing in the Lord and realizing things about myself, I realized that the next time I dated it would be for real and that next guy would potentially become my husband. No more games. No more emotional roller coasters. Ummm yeahhhhhh, easier said than done.
Though I have yet to be in another "declared" relationship, I have emotionally invested myself in certain friendships, with daydreams, thoughts and what not. It even got to the point where I considered laying down my standard to date someone who I knewwwww with my heart of hearts would not and could not be my husband.
It wasn't until today, while have a discussion on relationships with some younger teenagers, that I realized I was actually preaching to myself. I am worth so much more that petty relationships that are bound to end. I am worth more than a summer fling. I am the daughter of a King and as such, I cannot and will not allow a pauper or a slave claim me.
So, what's the lesson here? Wait, until you are sure beyond any reasonable doubt that this guy/girl is your potential spouse. But, Steph, it's hard. Wait. Steph, all my friends are in relationships. Wait. But, this is how the world shows me to find love. Wait! It's not going to be easy, but it'll be so worth it. Just think about all the heartbreak and the tears you are saving yourself from. One of my favorite songs, "Letting Go," by Reliant K, says, "The end will justify the pain it took to get us there." There is some amazing person that God has designed all for you and being with that person will justify the wait and the pain of waiting. As I type this out, I'm totally preaching to myself.
Selah [pause and think]
Though I have yet to be in another "declared" relationship, I have emotionally invested myself in certain friendships, with daydreams, thoughts and what not. It even got to the point where I considered laying down my standard to date someone who I knewwwww with my heart of hearts would not and could not be my husband.
It wasn't until today, while have a discussion on relationships with some younger teenagers, that I realized I was actually preaching to myself. I am worth so much more that petty relationships that are bound to end. I am worth more than a summer fling. I am the daughter of a King and as such, I cannot and will not allow a pauper or a slave claim me.
So, what's the lesson here? Wait, until you are sure beyond any reasonable doubt that this guy/girl is your potential spouse. But, Steph, it's hard. Wait. Steph, all my friends are in relationships. Wait. But, this is how the world shows me to find love. Wait! It's not going to be easy, but it'll be so worth it. Just think about all the heartbreak and the tears you are saving yourself from. One of my favorite songs, "Letting Go," by Reliant K, says, "The end will justify the pain it took to get us there." There is some amazing person that God has designed all for you and being with that person will justify the wait and the pain of waiting. As I type this out, I'm totally preaching to myself.
Selah [pause and think]
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