Ok, so I recently decided not to date, to just be a good friend to my brothers in Christ and encourage them in their walks with God. I really feel I have been striving to do a good job at that and have done a good job. I am beginning to see how much more fulfilling my relationship with Christ is than any other human relationship I could ever have on this earth. I really really really want to focus on God and His glory and His will. I have asked God that if it's His will for me to marry He will allow me to serve Him side by side with my husband. I've told God I only want a romantic relationship if it will glorify His name and bring me closer to Him.
Well, here's my problem. Thursday a friend of mine from way back contacted me. We were friends but didnt ever have anything romantic going on. We ended up talking for nearly 4 hours and talked again Sunday night for about 5 hours. Most of what we talk about is our walk with God, our faith, Scripture, etc. We do talk about other things, but we are always seeking to encourage one another and to bring each other closer to God. I really want to be a good friend to him and I want to keep my focus on God, but it's soooooooo hard! I have become so attracted to M. ...and I'm not talking about looks (although he is very handsome)...he really is a Godly man. There is a mutual attraction, but I know that if we are to be more than friends at any point it will have to be in God's timing and for God's glory alone. But, I'm so afraid I'm going to mess things up and develop strong feelings for him and end up losing focus. I am so glad we have gotten back in touch, but at the same time, I don't know what to do! Today I kept thinking of how I wanted to tell him about things throughout my day and how I wanted to share more about what God is doing in my life that I was not able to share the night before when we talked. UGH! How do I stop myself from developing feelings for him before it's time? I keep praying whenever those feelings start to surface and I keep trying to remind myself that above all he is my friend and I have to do what is best for him so that he won't lose
his focus on God.
So, how do we remain good friends and encourage one another yet keep the romantic feelings at bay until the time is right?