What to do in the "Meantime"

What is the "Meantime" you ask? The meantime is that time between "classmates and soul mates". We can take advantage of this time in our lives, and instead of sitting, waiting and wishing for that special person to come along we can use the "meantime" to grow!

step 1. Get to know God- Spend time in God's word, meditate on the verses that talk about who he is, because even if you find the perfect spouse they will NEVER be more perfect than God. Grow to love God and allow to fill the empty spaces in your heart, so that when the time is right you "soul mate" will have to know God to even have a chance at getting to know you!

step 2. Build a community- Nurture friendships! I know the natural reaction is to surround yourself with potential dates, but friends are soo incredibly important! I know that in my time of singleness I have been able to give so much more time to my friendships, and now I have some of the deepest relationships I have ever had in my entire life!

step 3. Do what you love- Develop your talents and through them bring glory to God!! When we are developing our God given talents we will have a deeper joy than we have ever known!

step 4. Discover something new- Is there something that you have been watching to try, or somewhere you have been wanting to go? GO DO IT! There is no time like the present, and this the time in your life when you don't have to support anyone but you. Don't waste precious time, discover all the exciting things that God might have in store for YOU!

step 5. Help others- When we helps others we speak straight to the heart of God. There is some much out there that you can do to improve the life of others! Are you feeling empty or lonely? Go out and help your community, and let your cup overflow!

step 6. Buy "dishes"- Basically this means to just live in the present. Are you filling your hope chest with things you are just waiting to use? Building now for the live you want to have? Live in the hear and now, open your hope chest, buy nice pots and pans (if you can afford it), travel to the places you want(also if you can afford it), live in the here and now, don't live waiting for the life you want. Instead live the life you have to the fullest!

step 7. Be reasonable- Don't look for the perfect person (They don't exist, everyone has flaws), instead look for the person that is perfect for YOU.

step 8. But don't compromise- Don't settle for anything short of God's best. Don't compromise for your special someone, and don't compromise your morals.

Live for God and live in the here and now! Embrace every moment you are given... even the "meantime" ; )

For more on the meantime read: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0000680.cfm

How to avoid the buddy system

Yesterday I read an amazing article here, http://www.boundless.org/girls/pages/GirlsGuide.pdf. At one point it talks about the 3 types of friendships with the opposite sex. There are aquaitances, companions, and intimate friendships. STAY AWAY FROM INTIMATE FRIENDSHIPS! Not because the opposite sex is bad, or it is wrong to be friends with them, but because girls and guys can not be friends without at least one having feelings for the other. So what does it mean to be intimate friends with a male and how do you avoid it? When you share secrets with someone, that makes them your intimate friend. When you spend large quantities of time together that makes them your intimate friend. When they know what makes you happy, sad or mad they are your intimate friend. Emotionally this is a dangerous place to be... trust me been there done that. You have the feelings of being in a relationship, but without any type of commitment. The author of the article recommends not spending more than 2 hours a week with a friend of the opposite sex. This brings them to companion status. They are your friend, and a part of your life, but they don't know every intimate detail of what makes you who you are. If you allow yourself to have an intimate relationship with someone of the opposite sex you become their buddy girl, or buddy guy. They have all the emotional benefits of a relationship without having to commit at all. "If you are indulging in an intimate friendship with a man who is not pursuing you, you are accepting a cheap imitation of love." Wait for the real love that God has prepared for you, don't settle for an imiation relationship that in reality, is just a friendship. Avoid the buddy system and you will avoid wasted time and a broken heart.