Dating

I heard a guy ask recently why so many Christian girls don’t date or marry Christian guys. And I can tell you why: they’re not asking. At least, not most of them. And many that are, ask based on looks rather than compatibility, so they get shot down because women are discerning creatures and then those bros stop asking.

There’s a whole lot of amazing women spending a ton of time dropping hints, expressing interest, and investing in men that never make a move. And so finally, they begin to say yes to men who 1. See how amazing these women are and 2. Are bold enough to ask them out. And they tend to not be Christian.

There’s this weird trend I notice in a large percentage of Christian men and women. Some of the best married couples I know break these molds. Yet generally, guys (who as we all know are driven by the eyes more than the heart scientifically speaking) seem to think that God is going to hand them a woman much younger and more attractive than they are, and also with the purity of Mary. And women think that if they just sit and wait, these boys that lack cajones will suddenly be transformed into bold men, leaders of families, who are capable of pursuing not just in the beginning, but throughout the marriage.

And what that leaves us with is a whole lot of people not dating, not getting married, and not establishing Christian families. Awesome. Then I’ve got Christian men in my life telling me I need to do more to catch a guys attention. I should try harder, give more. And while I’ve loved living a lifetime full of men telling me how I’m not quite enough, I’m done. I’m truly done. Because I am enough, more than enough. And I’m confident that whoever I end up with will know a great many blessings because he chose me for a wife. (Side-note: rather than encourage women to be aggressive and make them feel unchosen, maybe just encourage your male friends to ask ladies out more; it’s just a date).

I’m a dope conversationalist and I’m hilarious. I’m considerate and when I’m with you, I’m present as heck. You don’t have to worry about my phone being more important than you. I’m more focused on our compatibility than the brand you wear or the gear you own. I know how to respect and honor a man and I know how to love WELL. Hospitality and generosity are gifts of mine, and I’m slow to anger and quick to forgive. It’s clear pretty quickly that relationships with the people I love rank just below God in my life. I have a wealth of patience and I love kids. I’m as happy outdoors as I am at a party, in the city, at a concert or out on a farm. I’m easygoing and laidback but I love diving deep into conversations. I’ve got great taste in music (IMO) and I can cook pretty well (I love hosting dinners for friends). In other words, if you spend a little time getting to know me, I think you’ll know my worth. And I think I am enough. But not for the average Christian guy.

And so, even though everyone says it’s a terrible idea, and even though I know that there will be issues down the road if our faiths don’t align, I begin to consider the non-Christian. Not because I want to, but because it appears as if I have no other choice. The only ones that seem to see my worth are men who may not know God, but see His light shine in me. And I pray a lot; I pray so much over this because my deepest desire is to have a family that honors God and that disciples young people so that they, too, can have a family that honors God. But even though I believe this desire was given to me by God, both parties have to opt into it. And the guys just aren’t there. So I begin to ask myself the same question so many others around me ask themselves: do I keep waiting?