Dating Digest
Are you looking for a relationship? Dating can be fun, exciting and extremely complicated. As you meet interesting people, be selective and careful who you choose to date. 

You are valuable, precious, and special in God's sight. You deserve to be treated with respect and honor. Do you love yourself? Do you consider yourself  worthy to be loved? Let me tell you, God loves you. Jesus thinks you are special enough to die for you, to take your sin upon himself when he hung on a cross. He adores you. You need to value yourself before you look for someone else to love.

If you know how special and unique you are created, that you deserve to be honored and cherished then consider dating. Let me caution you. If you have children, I suggest focusing on them not a new relationship. Your children need you. Please do not be self-focused, think of your children. Put your attention on them. 

Often we think a man or woman will take care of all our problems. Not true. A relationship can create another set of problems. This is especially true if you have not received healing for a past hurt or broken relationship. If no kids are involved and you are in a healthy place, healed from your past pain, then consider the following:

Meet for the first time in a public place for coffee or lunch. If you meet online, talk on the phone several times before meeting in person. Remember he or she can tell you whatever you want to hear. Often preditors will get information from your on-line profile. Be wise in who you select to meet in person. 

Ask your potential date the following questions before going out with him or her:  

1. Find out what he enjoys doing during non-working hours.
   Is he lazy? Does he spend time with his kids? Is he or she active, handy, artistic, athletic?
   Are your interests similar to his?
2. Make a list of the qualities that are important to you: good sense of humor, responsible, dependable,  honest, sincere, good listener, not self-focused or selfish, patient, kind, gentle, generous, reliable, joyful, you get the idea.
3. Ask him about his parents and siblings? What was his relationship with his grandparents, parents, siblings? Family history will give you an idea of his role models. Unless he has experienced tremendous growth and healing, stay away from abusive upbringings. If you were abused get healing or you will probably get involved in a relationship that feels comfortable and familiar to you.
4. What is important to him: family, friends, his car, career, money, materialism, God? What he worships is where his heart will be.
5. What is his faith? It is important to date someone who is equally yoked in a relationship with God. This may seem insignificant, but it's of paramount importance to have a moral compass to live by, to please God, to honor you, and raise your children with a moral foundation. It's worth waiting for Mr. Right! If you're a Christian find a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Not all who claim to be Christians are in fact Christians. How they behave will reveal the truth. Read more.