|
Featured Articles:
Dating 101 For Christians
- Part 2
Printable Version
Make Yourself Available
I know what you're thinking - 'I'm not desperate' or 'What
does she mean by 'available'. I know you are not desperate and
what I mean by 'available' is just that - available to go out,
available to meet people, available to attend functions or
social gatherings. And, yes, I know we are all holy and sold
out for God, but there's nothing wrong with going out on a
simple date. Let people know what you are looking for in a
mate or a friend. Go places where you think you're likely to
meet such a person. I'm even a fan of online dating and
matchmaking services. At least online, you'll have an
opportunity to get to know that person a little bit through
email. Just be available - be open to the idea of dating, be
open to the idea of meeting new people, be open to the
potential of new conversation and including new activities in
your life.
Be Interesting Date Company
Okay, you've met some new people, you've scheduled a few dates
(where you will meet them on neutral ground) and you're ready
to go. There is one very important that thing you must bring
on your date - yourself! Be the kind of person you would like
to go out with. Be interesting. Be alive. Be informed. You
want to get to know this person and allow this person to get
to know you. How much interest do you think they will have in
someone who answers their questions with one word responses? Not much. There
are no formal rules for date conversation, but you must talk!
No matter how good a listener you are, eventually the
conversation will turn back to you and you will have to say
something about yourself. Be ready. Talk about this article.
Talk about God. Talk about whatever your heart desires, but be
sure to talk!
Follow Up
Make sure you thank your dates for their company. Let them
know you enjoyed yourself (if you did) and that you'd like to
go out again (if you do). But remember - play it cool! If you
say something like, 'I enjoyed myself' and they say little in
return, don't say anything else. Dating is a two-way street
and if you're the only one participating, you need to find a
different road! If the date went well, call in a few days to a
week, but be casual. Ask them how they are, what they've been
up to. But again, be cool. If they seem interested or excited
to talk to you, then follow up with a suggestion for another
outing. But if they say little or show minimal interest, just
let it be. Say goodbye, wish them a good day and let it go.
Because the simple fact of the matter is, if they want to see
you again, they are fully capable of saying that for
themselves.
Stay Positive and Focused
Remember that even if some of your dates don't turn out so
well, it probably has little to do with you and everything to
do with them. It's okay if you don't click with someone. It's
okay if you don't want to pursue a relationship or they don't. The value in knowing your own self-worth is that you
understand that another person's opinion of you does not make or
break you. Perhaps that person is not the person for you.
Perhaps you've set your aim too high or too low. Re-evaluate,
move on, but don't let bad experiences deter you. I've seen
many single men and women afraid to go out because they are
afraid of rejection and they don't seem to realize that there
are other men and women out there who feel exactly the same
way they do! Just do it. Go out and have fun. And remind
yourself that no matter what happens, this is not the end of
the world (or the beginning) and your life will go on, just as
happy, just as contented and just as focused as it was before
that person came into it.
Pray Always
No matter what stage of the game you're in, pray always. Pray
about if you should date, pray about who you should date and
pray about your expectations and game plan. God will guide and
direct you in anything You seek him for (and some things you
don't), so make sure you get His input before you do anything.
So, go out and enjoy yourself. Plan your strategy, use your
strategy and pray diligently! And be encouraged, the person
you are looking for is probably right around the corner,
searching for you as well.
[1]
2 Previous
Printable Version
More Articles
|
