Waiting.

Waiting has to be one of the hardest things to do. Like really really really hard. It's like a toddler looking at a pile of cookies and his mom saying wait until after dinner. It seems almost unbearable for the little boy. Thats how it is for us too. When we think about our future (our future spouses specifically) we just want it now. But not only is that not realistic, it's not what's best for us. Because just like the mother who says wait, God tells us to wait. Just like the mother, God knows what's best for us just like the mother knows what's best for the baby.

You see, we may all think it'd be so great to just have our husband or wife now, but that's not the case. The thing is, if we all met our husband or wife at the age of 13, we would mess it up. Pretty badly actually. When we are 13, we are still babies. We think that we are so grown up and on top of the world, but in reality, we are not. We aren't mature yet. Those feelings usually aren't love, they're hormones. When we're that young, we don't grasp the idea of love entirely. We think we do, but we don't. As we get older, we get wiser, and we learn to love along the way. 

Learning to love is only part of it though. God doesn't let us meet or rather, date our future husband/wife until we are BOTH ready. Meaning, both people have to grow up.... A lot. If even one person isn't ready, he won't let you two meet. I mean, we'd mess it up! And thank you, God, that you don't let us meet until we are both ready cause we would surely mess it up if it was in our timing.

Being human, we want everything NOW. We want instant gratification, and with as little work as possible. But that isn't how God works. If we want something, not only do we have to wait until we're ready, but we also have to work for it. God tests us in life. He tests us because He wants to know that we are growing in Him and maturing. That may seem so horrible, but it's not. 

So you may be wondering what you should be doing now, until you meet your future spouse. So here's 6 little things that I've compiled:

• Get lost in God. Be so in love with Him that you long to grow in Christ everyday and desire to be close to God. 

• Pray. Pray for your future spouse everyday. Pray for their safety, pray for their health, pray for any trial they may be going through. Pray that they find you when you are both ready, in God's timing. Pray that they are following God with everything in them, and that they know how much you already love them. 

• Be purposefully single. Be single by choice! Society says that being single is bad, and that if you're single then you will be forever alone. That is NOT the case! You would much rather be alone now than with the wrong person for the rest of your life. Being single also means you get to spend more time with God. And who doesn't wanna do that?!

• Pursue your dreams. It's hard to focus on your own dreams when someone else is in the picture. It's like you get so wrapped up in them that you forget about your own hopes and dreams. And even though your future husband or wife will encourage your dreams, the wrong guy or girl will not. So, while you're waiting on Mr. or Mrs. Right, pursue your talents and dreams. 

• Stay pure. Stay pure in every way. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually. There is nothing more attractive than a pure heart. 

• Write a list of things you want in your future spouse. Start with your NEEDS, your non-negotiables like faith, and then build it up to your wants, things that would just be icing on the cake. For example, a need for me is for him to be good with kids. A want is for him to give amazing hugs. :)  Reference your list while dating (making sure they have your non-negotiables) and then, when you get married, check the list again. See how many qualities your spouse has :)

Of course the list could go on and on, but those are just 6 examples. 

But just know today that you are loved. You don't have to have a guy or a girl right now, God is saving you for someone extra extra extra special, someone who is worth the wait. I've heard of couples that waited for each other for 20 years and when they finally found each other they say they would do it all over again if they knew that their spouse would be waiting for them on the other side. How amazing is that?! That's the kind of love I want. The kind that doesn't mind waiting, because they're worth the wait. So, while you are waiting, pray and seek God. God isn't going to give us someone before we even get to know HIM. I mean, He is supposed to be number one in our lives, so until He is, he's not going to give you a guy or girl. He doesn't need someone to compete with Him for the top space in your life. So, love the Lord and guard your heart now. 

Waiting isn't always easy, but it is always worth it. 

I love y'all! And happy early new year! Thank you all for making my 2013 so special! Let's make 2014 the best year yet!

-xoxo, Love always, @InfiniteFaith7