We are all fools for love.
Well…. Sunday I did something crazy in the name of “love”. I only took half of my scheduled flight home and got off at the DFW airport instead of going on to Denver. And the crazy catch: I did this all for a guy…
Wait, what?
Don’t worry there is a back story. Let me start a couple months ago.
I’ve been talking to this guy named Dustin and let me tell you, he is an incredible man. I started really talking to him after my Project Search Light trip in Georgia at the end of August. We reconnected, shared testimonies, and started to kindle a friendship.
We have talked almost every day if not every single day since then. He has helped me through transitioning home, depression, anxieties, and just been there to celebrate this thing called life with me. He quickly elevated himself from friend to one of my closest friends through his intentionality, the prayers he said over and for me, phone calls we made, and the love he showed me.
Then two weeks ago this man flew out to Colorado (not just to see me, he had other plans here as well… It just so happened that he had never seen my state before, so road trip we did). As friends we explored some of my favorite places in Colorado, and some new places I’d never seen. He met and socialized with my family with grace, and actually seemed to enjoy the chaos of it all.
After two days into our trip, Dustin was a bit bold – telling me he had developed feelings for me that were more than just a friend and was hoping he could pursue me.
Now to be honest, I was a little blindsided. I had placed this guy in a neat box in my head labeled “friend” – that being said I had also purposely been praying for God to guard my heart in regards to him.
Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for everything you do flows from it.”
Why did I friend zone him? This man feels called to Japan to be a missionary out there, and as y’all know – I am called to Macedonia. In my eyes this made our relationship a friend only zone. I mean, we want to do missions on two different continents!
Thankfully, and with much wisdom, Dustin prayed about us instead of acting rashly like I did. After doing so, he felt like the Lord had given him the green light to pursue me, telling him that it was possible for us to be missionaries in both Macedonia and Japan.
With this all being said, I told Dustin that I would have to pray about it. I also explained to him where I currently was at emotionally and the reasoning I hadn’t let feelings develop. Almost a week later I called him and told him he could pursue me, but I still wasn’t ready to be his girlfriend. I had prayed about our relationship and felt the Lord lovingly let me know that a relationship with Dustin could work, but He gave me the choice. The ball was in my court, I had the option to allow Dustin to pursue me or not. My conversation with the Lord gave me the confidence I needed to get the gears rolling, but I still needed some time. I wanted things to progress naturally and didn’t want to force anything.
So, a week ago I let my walls down… I took Dustin out of the “friend zone” and placed him into the potential boyfriend zone.
Since then my emotions, desires, and thinking has been a complete whirlwind of a ride. I have never had my heart stolen so quickly. This man went from a friend to someone I deeply care about and just can’t stop thinking about in only one weeks time (I’m telling you – this man must have a powerful prayer life. I can’t even understand or logically deduce what is happening to my heart right now).
As I was writing this I was sitting on a plane to Dallas (3hours from where this gentleman lives) – having booked a different flight that morning which changed my plans completely. The spontaneity of it all felt so weird to me, but was very exciting.
Anyways, why am I telling all of YOU this?
Well, after Dustin picked me up from the airport he called both of my parents and asked their permission to date me. After receiving their permission, he asked me to be his girlfriend – and I’ve obviously said yes. BUT this whole God first relationship thing is new to me…
So, I’m asking you – how do I date in a God honoring way?
I want this to be a relationship that is glorifying to the Lord. I want Dustin and I to be able to pursue the Lord more together than we did apart. I desire to encourage, empower, and love him in a way that causes him to feel Christ’s love.
If y’all have read any of my other blogs, you know that I obviously don’t know how to have a Christ centered relationship… But, that being said – I really am going to try and strive my best to be a good example in this area, so I hope y’all are okay with me including you on my journey.
I also would like to let you know that I wouldn’t be dating him if I didn’t see the possibility of me marrying him, so y’all this is getting real. I would love advice, accountability, and honestly just the chance to keep Dustin and I’s relationship transparent.
Things I think we’ve done/are doing right:
– Prayed about God’s will and His opinion on this relationship BEFORE getting emotionally attached or engaging in a relationship.
– Saught wise counsel before making any decisions.
– Practice open and honest communication with one another at all times.
– Pray with and for one another daily.
– Set up physical boundaries in order to stay pure until marriage.
God has given me the opportunity to take a step forward, and I absolutely am rejoicing that I’ve decided to do so (even though this long distance thing is going to be difficult – if y’all have any tips and tricks about that I’m all ears). I hope that y’all enjoy this journey as much as I am! Thanks in advance for the advice.
God bless.
