Day Forty-Five

DATING AND MARRIAGE

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

—PROVERBS 3:5–6 MSG

I stood in my friends Rob and Emily’s guest bathroom, getting ready for a date I didn’t want to go on. Rob was watching golf, and I was putting on my makeup and trying to get my four billion hairs in some sort of organized fashion.

As I continued to get ready, Rob asked me lots of questions: Who is this guy? How did you meet him? Why did you say yes?

Before the inquisition was over, I was crying.

I didn’t want to go on this date. I had only stopped dating a wonderful guy a few weeks before, and “getting back out there” felt like pouring salt in a wound in hopes it would heal.

But I said yes. It was a fine date. We had good conversation, and he thought I was really funny, so that always goes far in my heart. We never went out again.

Going on a date with an acquaintance didn’t fix everything. I was still sad. It didn’t bring healing. But it did build something good in me—the knowledge that life was going to go on. I was going to be okay.

I’ve never regretted being brave enough to put myself out there and try.

I’ve been on bad dates, and I’ve been on great dates that turned into relationships. And of course there are people and moments that bring back painful memories, but I’ve never regretted being brave enough to put myself out there and try.

If you’re not married yet, go on dates. Seriously. Put yourself out there, friend. You just have to go for it, even when it’s scary or unknown.

You will learn things about God’s love and personality from friendship, dating, and marriage, and fear will try to keep you from giving your heart in those relationships. Don’t let fear win.

Married friends, keep being brave in your marriage. Give your spouse grace. Be brave enough to be open and communicate your feelings. Don’t let the years of hurts and pain put a wall between you. Don’t run away when you feel rejected.

Be brave enough to stick with it. Brave enough to forgive and be forgiven.

BE BRAVE: Oh, y’all are gonna love this one. Married friends, ask your spouse on a date. Single friends, ask someone to coffee. Like, someone who could be someone. Be brave. Go for it! It’s just coffee.