When I was younger I liked guys all of the time, but I never dated any of them.\u00a0 In fact they never knew I liked them and it was ok because they never liked me.\u00a0 Anytime I would talk about guys and my dad would over hear he would say, \u201cIs he a Christian?\u201d\u00a0 I used to get so annoyed with my dad for throwing in that comment any time I would talk about something as simple as a crush on the cute guy with a pretty smile in my math class.\u00a0 Only after I started dating someone who was most certainly not a Christian did I wish I would have listened to the advice my dad had given me on dating years prior.<\/p>\n
As a teenager it is so hard to truly want to listen to your parents.\u00a0 You hear what they say, but you want to figure things out for your own.\u00a0 You want to take risks; they want to stop you from that type of behavior.\u00a0 You want to try new things; they want to tell you not to because they have been there done that and you just should not be doing certain things.\u00a0 Even though we cannot see it at the time, our parents are stopping us from things because they love us.\u00a0 They do not want to see us make mistakes.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 I know I wish I would have listened to my parents more than I did.<\/p>\n I know the feeling you get when you find out a guy likes you.\u00a0 I know how good attention from guys can feel.\u00a0 There is one feeling that is way beyond what those ones may feel like: the love God has for you. \u00a0Do you know how good that feels?\u00a0 If you do not know, I highly suggest that you spend some time getting to know God so you can find out first hand just how amazing it is!\u00a0 When we truly know God\u2019s love for us, it will make us want to find the man God has for us and not settle for any guy that thinks we are pretty or who gives us attention from time to time.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Have you ever thought about what you want in a man?\u00a0 Have you ever thought about what a relationship should be like?\u00a0 Try writing down a list of qualities that you would like in a man.\u00a0 (See page 105 and 2 Corinthians 7:1)Keep that list and pray about it to God.\u00a0 When you are in a relationship ask yourself, honestly, does this relationship bring you closer to God or pull you away from Him?\u00a0 If you hold out for a man who has the qualities you have been praying for- chances are you will grow closer and closer to God together!\u00a0 Any relationship that brings you closer to God is definitely a good one to have.<\/p>\n Personally, I struggled with dating.\u00a0 I never thought that there were men out there that would be what I wanted (someone who loves God, goes to church, reads the Bible, is kind to others, and will love me as Christ wants someone to love me).\u00a0 So, as my high school years came and gone, I decided that I needed to change my standards.\u00a0 I ended up settling for an older man who was not a Christian.\u00a0 GIRLS, this was the biggest mistake I have ever made.\u00a0 I ended up stuck in an abusive relationship.\u00a0 I KNOW now that waiting for the man God has for us-a good guy who is devoted to God will come our way!\u00a0 God will bring you together in His timing.\u00a0 It is so important to hold out for that man.\u00a0 And the best part is while you wait-you have the opportunity to grow closer to God and experience so much of the perfect love He has for you!<\/p>\n Please remember that you are not defined by what guys say or by how they make you feel, if you are getting attention from them, or getting no attention at all.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> The only thing you are defined by is the love Jesus has for YOU!\u00a0 You have the privilege to CHOOSE the man you go on a date with.\u00a0 Make sure you make God apart of your choosing process.\u00a0 Praying to Him to lead you to the right man will save you from heartache and the pain of dating the wrong one!<\/p>\n Let\u2019s Pray:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Lord, I thank you so much that you love us with unconditional love that no man will ever be able to replace.\u00a0 I love that you have handpicked a man for us if that is your will in our lives.\u00a0 I pray that these girls and I are able to hold out for this man.\u00a0 I pray that we never settle for less than the best you have for us.\u00a0 As these girls start to date, I pray that they choose wisely the men they bring into their lives.\u00a0 May they seek you in each decision they make.\u00a0 We love you so much and thank you for guarding our hearts.\u00a0 AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n Much Love to YOU all,<\/p>\n Diane<\/p>\n ********************************************<\/p>\n For the A Daughter\u2019s Worth<\/i> Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.<\/p>\n