TrueLoveWaits: Are You Prepared to Date?

 I know out of our mouths we proclaim to the world that we are ready to date, but really have you made time in the busy life of YOU to really step out onto the dating scene. My belief towards preparation is that “Preparation is faith in action, although you may not see it right now you’re in expectation of it coming.” Your preparation will always position you towards your destiny, which goes for dating as well. Women who tend to lack intimacy in their lives tend to place all of their eggs into one basket- you focus all of your energy and time into careers, children, or building careers. 

This has to STOP!! You’ll drive yourself crazy if this is you; you’re like a ticking time bomb ready to exploded at any minute now, you have to have a balance focus- intimacy in your life (Not Sex) but intimacy is well needed, starting with being intimate (having a relationship) with God first. We are relational beings and it can’t be all work and no play; you have to let your hair down sometime this century. Just view me as the bomb squad called in to disarm YOU (the bomb) before you exploded. Follow these 4 preparation steps to dating:

First Prep Step- Make sure you're emotionally ready to date. Ask yourself questions like "Am I totally free from my past?" This is very important because while your trying to date someone new, your still carrying your ex with you. Spend time in prayer to see if your emotionally ready to embark on the journey of dating.

Second Prep Step- Take a look at your calendar and pencil in the days and times you will have available for date night (or day). Also create a list of different things or places that will be fun experiences to have while on your date (trying new restaurants, fun events, picnics, etc.). Do this before you're asked out on a date. 

Third Prep Step- Pick out that spectacular dress or outfit that will have your date thinking “Thank God she is here with me!!” Remember not to sexy and not Sunday's Best either- Your recipe for clothes will be Fabulously Comfortable and still Sexy Conservative.  

Fourth Prep Step- Which is the most important preparation of all is having your HB Plan completed and memorized before going out on any date- you are required to have your soul insurance with you at all times. There has to be boundaries put in place to assure that your heart and soul is protected from all Mr. Counterfeits. To find out more information on how to create your HB Plan take a look at blog post: Is Abstinence For Real?  

Keep your spirits lifted ladies, because although no one has approach you just YET, does not mean that someone hasn't taken interest in you. Make sure you're emotionally ready, Balance your focus, prepare yourself to date, keep an open mind, and make sure your words line up with what you desire. Work your best asset- Your Faith!!

~MechelleRenee  

Perfect Your Craft.

In this life God has blessed each one of us with spiritual and natural talents (see 1 Cor. 12:1-11). My question to you today is what are you doing to perfect the talents that God has placed in you? The renowned basketball player Michael Jordan has definitely set the standards at an all-time high in the history of basketball; he was first named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year in 1982, he then won 6 NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls, 5 regular season MVP awards, and the list goes on and on. But before the grand success and the championships left and right, Michael Jordan failed to make the high school basketball team his sophomore year.  Imagine what would have happen if Michael allowed one failed attempt to hinder him from achieving his God-given destiny; as a dynamic athlete. Jordan remained focus at perfecting his craft and made the team the following year; the rest is history.  

 That’s the problem with some Christians today; we allow one failed attempt to stop us from continuing on the path to making our dreams a reality. So what if it didn’t work out the first time!!! Learn from it, Re-strategize, and plan accordingly to fix the problem so that it won’t happen again.    

In the earlier parts of my life I have tried numerous of times to fit into a mold of someone else’s vision for my life. In doing so I changed my major several times in college in the hope of finding my true calling in life; do anyone understand where I'm coming from? I went from wanting to fulfill a grandmother’s dream by me becoming a Registered Nurse, to a Massage Therapy   major, to a Forensic Psychology major, to a Fashion designer, a Merchandiser in Business & Retail major, and so on. It wasn’t until I sought the Lord with fasting and much prayer (time spent with God), was the very moment that the foundation of my life’s blueprint was given to me. I am a writer with many talents. Please do not think that I knew this all along, but it was the Lord who reintroduced me back to the love of writing.

Ok, so I know the hopes of my calling, now what do i do next in order to perfect my craft? Great question!!! You need to learn everything there is about your talent(s). For example: I am a developing writer with an interest in Film/Television Production. My goal is to become a renowned Film Editor working on major movie films and television sitcoms. YOU MUST TAKE ACTION!! Write out a game plan by taking a sheet of paper with your vision in mind; write where you want to be, and the important steps you must take in order to achieve your goal. There are endless resources out there to enhance your knowledge on the field of God’s Choice for your life; notice I’ve said “God’s Choice” not your own.

I really want to encourage you my dear friend to go after what God has placed in your heart to pursue. One of my favorite well-known Pastor & Speaker is Pastor A. R. Bernard, he once said “application is the evidence of learning.” Wow! What a profound word. Mainly what he is saying is retained knowledge will only make you a library; it’s only when you apply the knowledge to your life is when you will start to see results. The Book of James chapter 2:14-18 talks about the importance of having faith and works combined to produce change; you cannot have one without the other. FAITH+WORKS=SUCCESS. With that being said, go back to the drawing board, and in my case go back to school  with a plan to perfect your craft (you’re never too old), and read! Read! Read!  More informative material that will steer your mind towards your destiny; what you read is what you feed. I love you all so much!!! And I hope you were blessed reading this, just as much as I was writing it J  until next time the Lord orders my hands to type…

Be Bless good people

-PureEnlightenment