DEDICATION
To My Best Friend,
I'll never be able to repay you for what you did. You fixed parts of me that I didn't know were broken. You tore down walls I couldn't see. I found myself underneath the rubble.
You gave me confidence I had lost long ago.
You inspired me to be me again. Thank You!
I Wish It Didn't Have To End.
PREFACE
In January of 2021, I visited a friend in Corpus Christi, Texas. While visiting his church, God called me to be a door greeter at New Life Church. As an act of obedience, I sold my house in two short weeks and moved from Atlanta, Georgia to Corpus Christi, Texas.
I was a Baby Christian. My faith was in its infancy. Upon arriving in Corpus Christi, I began attending my first Men's Bible Study. This is when I heard about the concept of Godly Dating for the first time.
For two-and-a-half years, I asked pastors, life group leaders and brothers in-Christ, "What is Godly Dating?" I always got the same incomplete answer, "Godly Dating means no sex before marriage." This answer left me without a blueprint of how to date faithfully.
No conversation could have prepared me for what I experienced from June 2023 through December 2023. A friend became My Best Friend. I spent more time with her in-person, talking on the phone and texting than with anyone else on the planet. She was my everything.
We had a bond that was different than anything I had ever felt before. It was a deep emotional and spiritual connection. Alas, it did not last. My heart is broken and my soul torn.
The wound is fresh. Instead of wallowing in a pit of pity, I choose to be grateful for the lessons God bestowed upon me during my time with her. This book will ensure fruit from the relationship lasts forever.
I wrote to deal with my pain. Writing required introspection. Writing was a form of therapy. Writing provided healing. I wrote so that you may build a relationship that lasts.
The seven months I spent with her shined a light on what Godly Dating is and is not. This is what I learned...
INTRODUCTION
This book strives to answer the question, "What Is Godly Dating?" Gain incite into creating a relationship that lasts. Find out why you choose the same type of person over and over in failed relationships. Stop asking yourself, "Am I ready to date?" Take the steps to Prepare To Love.
Chapters in this book are grouped in three sections: My Love Story, Lessons Of Loss and Prepare To Love.
My Love Story tells the story of a seven-month relationship I had with a fellow Christian. We were Friends First. Our bond was centered around Jesus. See how we replaced Lust With Love, Passion With Prayer and Touching With Talking.
Lessons Of Loss is comprised of lessons from my past relationships and research for this book. Avoid Loss in a future relationship by analyzing your past. Be at peace with the past to be at peace with Your Person in the future. Heal First before you start Godly Dating.
Prepare To Love consists of lessons to help you mend your heart. Unlearn lessons of Failed Love. Transform your heart with a Love Makeover. Be Single With A Purpose. Stop Looking Back. Move Forward!
Christians see signs & wonders. Something led you to pick up this book. Take it as a Sign to read this book. If you Wonder if this book can help you find love, the answer is yes.
Learn Lessons from My Love Story to Prepare To Love.
