More later, I'm sure, but "standard" would we teach and share with our kids? What would we tell them when they say that standard is too high? Is the cost of a bad or wrong relationship worth the temporary comfort? When you look at it objectively, it is better to be single and improving in contentment, than to be in a relationship that is not right for us. No?
I shared on Donna's thread that a friend knew what she wanted and stayed within those pramaters when dating, mostly. She dated someone who seemed to be outside of her want list but in other areas than character. Initially she did not want to give the guy a second look but then did so. As it turns out, he turned out to be a real gem.
I try to remember this as I pray about the prospect of future relationships and it allows me to be a bit more patient as I wait on the Lord for what He has in store for me. In the mean time, not being hindered in trying to force something OR having my time so occupied on a woman (I did do that in my first two post D attempts at developing an R) allows me to focus on God first, and then my kids. I hope to maintain this perspective because my life is becoming increasingly rich as I walk this walk.
When I do get in that funk, desiring a relationship, I share with my friend and he encourages me (and visa versa). We trust that God, if He wills it, has a woman for each of us who currently loves Him more than she will ever love us. That beautiful heart does not have to be in the type of physical tent I use to think I wanted in a mate (the bible says these bodies are mere tents we are using as we pass through this life). So, since I need to know the heart and cannot judge by the exterior (there does have to be chemistry and some kind of physical attraction), I need to get to know the heart of such a woman and that takes some time.
Keep your standard right where it needs to be but pray about the parameters of that standard.
Committed2Him- "C2H" All Things (Back from Spain!)...18
