Thank you for your courtesy. I understand.
He was an anomaly. A classic overachiever with an amazing work ethic. He was incredibly driven and usually wanted to do more than he could and milked life to the fullest. Living that way inevitably brings success of some degree.
I'm not attracted to wealth. I'm drawn to greatness. I like men who challenge themselves to use their gifts and talents and expand their knowledge. They're not easily derailed and want to be the best and I enjoy helping them.
I don't look for money because men aren't the lone avenue for its attainment. When you're unable to build wealth or unwilling to do so you rely on others. But when you understand the principles of work and divine laws that follow you know effort is rewarded. The more you use the things God placed in you the greater your success.
Mindset is the primary impediment to my hand. You can't change your beginning but you can rewrite your future. No one can make you do it. You have to decide I want more and work towards it.
I'm dealing with people who've done that. They're putting their ideas in motion and working towards their dreams. We're past that point. Now we can focus on increase and collaborations because the groundwork is laid. That's the man I'm meant to help--as in help meet. That's why its fulfilling.
Sometimes you hear of men like that. They can just go to a table & whip up conversation to people who otherwise might be giving off closed vibes. Not necessarily rich, or well-dressed, or solid career, they just do it b/c it’s who they are. They’re not looking to get anything out of it other than a decent conversation. No Gospel sharing. No date. No money. Just friendly for the sake of being friendly. I was kind of hoping the man you’re talking about was like that. I wanted to hear a good story like that. I don’t see that very often. This man seems close
That's wisdom talking. Some are waiting for them to land in their lap or beating their head against the wall when no one responds to their message. You are discerning enough to realize that convenience isn't always best and effort is necessary. You're more likely to meet someone than the person flooding someone's inbox. Assessment is part of the process.
You were hurting and wanted it to stop. You weren't asking for the world or great riches or demanding a 10. You wanted a woman who loved the Lord who'd love you back. That's why I talked to you. I was struck by its simplicity. It said a lot about your character.
I have ideas of what I’d like her to be like. In some ways that’s made the waiting easier b/c you think ‘nope, that’s not her.’ But it may have put me into a box too & does add to the frustration. Need to break that box, or continue to try to put cracks into it.
You're an anomaly too. But that's a conversation for another day.
I don't know when the prayer was answered but I know it is. God begins on the inside. By the time we recognize the changes He's done a lot.
It's difficult to have a lengthy courtship and keep your heart in check. The longer it persists the more vulnerable you become. Guarding the heart requires us to ask hard questions and avoid tying the other up if marriage isn't possible. You want to leave them bettered not recovering.
Not only that, but it shouldn't take more than a year or so to know if you both want to get married to each other. Otherwise you're just wasting time. You should know if you're wasting each other's time. You should have a pretty good idea of this person. Vulnerabilities need to be exposed. Compatibility needs to be tested. The hard conversations need to be had. Plans needs to be shared. The idea is to date to marry; just dating is a waste. Even 'practice dating to marry' needs to have its limits.
Even 'meeting her (or him if you're a lady) & getting to that stage' may not take as much time as I had thought. With the right person, doing it the right way, the whole process can be quick.
There's an idea that it can't be quick, you don't want to rush it, you need it long to test. But if it's done right, you can test early & often.
When I ceased to think about marriage or men in general I gained a lot insight unexpectedly. I prayed for my husband's well being. But I didn't wonder when, who or how. etc. One day I realized it was settled. Everything fell away and I felt really calm.
God doesn't want us fretting. Nor is He oblivious to our pain or efforts. You're trying and as long as you do they'll be a harvest. My perceptions have changed. I'm not plugged in as much as I was in the past and that breeds a wholesomeness I value.
~bella
I feel like that attitude can create complacency. A ‘it’ll happen when it’ll happen’, ‘God will give you one when he gives you one,’ even ‘I’m perfect the way I am, someday a lady (or man) will understand that.’
I’ve struggled with that kind of advice. Now I’m learning, yes, absolutely, it’s up to God, but you still have to be the absolute best you can be, you still may have things you need to work on, are you trying as absolutely as hard as you think you are, etc.?
I would never encourage someone who wants to date & fall in love & get married to ‘just forget about it, it’ll just happen.’ That’s selfishness, not in what is typically thought of when that word is used, where it’s you’re openly egotistical, but in a way you’re only focused on yourself & your needs. & as the man, we need to do a lot of the initiating. ‘It’ll just happen’ is a good attitude, but it’s only half of it. You need to be doing the things you need to be doing. The things God would like you to be doing, others would like you to be doing, & what she would like you to be doing. Then ‘it’ll just happen.’ Until then, no, it won’t.
I wasn’t told this. I kept getting the things in the top line. I’m glad I didn’t. I’m glad I’m finding it out on my own. It comes from the heart finding it on your own.