Dear Lady In Waiting,

...

I've wanted to write you for a long, long time.
Today seemed like it was finally the time and I hope that you'll hear me out.

Lately, you have really been on my heart.
I see so many of you longing for a love that is true and real and I know how you feel,
because I've been there.

[via]

May I encourage you today?

Take this time and use it wisely.
Prepare yourself mentally, physically and spiritually for a future love that is true.
Enjoy every second of your singleness to focus on who you are-- and not who you are with a person.

Even when the man that God has for you arrives, continue to keep Jesus #1, always. Your spouse will let you down and disappoint you, he's only human-- a sinner. You can not rely on him to make you happy, no matter how wonderful he is-- only Jesus will completely fill your heart, satisfy you, and make you whole. 

Please, please-- dump the secular mentality of our world and please care more about how your future man loves, honors, respects and desires to obey God than about how much money he brings to the table, what he looks like, and what he drives.

We married people are not looking at you as an unhappy person, a failure, or a woman who can't hold down a relationship. We are looking at you with love, appreciation and excitement for you as you patiently await the man of your dreams. It's usually only when you are with a man who's intentions that we question do we wish that you would open your eyes and run.

If you've made mistakes in the past, it's never too late to start over. God's a big God full of grace and love and can make you pure again. If you're still waiting... hold on... the world may tell you that it might not be worth it, but I think they all secretly respect your perseverance. They may tell you that you need to "test drive the car to make sure you want to buy it," but trust me, you don't need a test run-- God works everything together for His good (Roman 8:28).

[via]

Friend, please please please-- if you are a Christ follower, do not settle with anyone but (2 Corinthians 2:14). You might think that you have things in common now, but over the months and years, a common trust and faith in Jesus is all that will matter. It will get you through anything. A chord of 3 strands is not easily broken. With God at the center of your triangle, you are bound for marital success; doesn't mean that you will not have problems, but together you will be able to pray through them and seek God together. In 5 years of marriage, I hate to say it, but I've already seen so many of our friends get divorced. The common thread seems to be one thing and this was it: not being spiritually like minded (of course there were other things that added to it, and I'm certainly not promoting divorce).

Don't settle for anything but God's absolute best. Observe him, pray about him, ask his friends about him, and spend a lot of time with his family.

"Be careful you do not offer too much of yourself to a man until you have good, solid evidence that he is a strong man willing to commit. Look at his track record with other women. Is there anything to be concerned about there? If so, bring it up. Also, does he have any close male friends - and what are they like as men? Can he hold down a job? Is he walking with God in a real and intimate way? Is he facing the wounds of his own life, and is he also demonstrating a desire to repent of Adam’s passivity and/or violence? Is he headed somewhere with his life? A lot of questions, but your heart is a treasure, and we want you to offer it only to a man who is worthy and ready to handle it well."

― Stasi Eldredge, Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul

Finally, I write to you with a heart that is full of wanting to save you from walking into something that would ever hurt or harm you. Why? Because I love you! Praying for you today. God's watching over you and your heart today.

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