Dating Advice for Girls

I thought dating stress was gone forever once I got married, but God was playing a joke on me. My dearest Emily, as well as her friends, are now playing with the “in a relationship” status on Facebook. Dating is one of the most exhilarating and most frustrating experiences in life, and this is especially true for the young Christian lady.

It’s bad enough that the pickings are so slim for Christian girls as few young men have been willing to truly turn from sin and commit to a life of following Christ. But many times even Christian boys lack the qualities essential for a healthy dating relationship.

So how can a young Christian girl gain crucial insight into a boy’s character before she even begins any kind of “relationship” with him? What does a girl often possess as an incredible tool to help determine a boy’s integrity? Surely God has not left young Christian girls to navigate these shark-infested waters alone.

Great news, girls. God has provided you with an incredibly powerful equalizer for the frontlines of dating. It is called “DAD.” That’s right, girls, there is no one on the face of this planet who cares more for your safety and well-being than that one man. Not only is he your personal polygraph machine and expert in teen-boy psychology, but he is willing to personally run his own background checks.

So how can you utilize this powerful tool in screening potential gentleman callers? This brings us to the ominous INTERVIEW. Oh my, gives me chills just thinking about it. Listen girls, don’t underestimate the power of this single event, because not only is your dad able to see through a boy’s false motives, but this is an essential step in determining a boys character. Because if he doesn’t have the brass to stand before your dad and ask for permission to get know you better, then he is not willing to shoulder the risk of being rejected. And that is an indication of weak character, poor leadership, and impure motives.

If a boy cannot pass this basic test of decency and integrity, then he is not yet ready to get to know you better, and may never be. And if your dad is not available to conduct this simple interview, I would be happy and honored to provide this service free of charge.

Whatever It Takes

Jeremiah was his slave name. He towered at six feet five inches, broad shoulders, powerful arms, and hands as rough as a gravel road. Jeremiah was strong, and worked like a horse; no, a team of horses. The hot sun didn't slow him, difficulty didn't discourage him, and pain didn't stop him.

But there was another side to Jeremiah. Deborah had given him two rambunctious boys and one little princess, and Jeremiah was putty in their hands. His hard work gained favor with the slave owner, therefore providing safety and security for his little family.

Nonetheless, Jeremiah's strength and work ethic made him valuable in trade. And one fateful day in the fall, the news of such a trade had come. He was given a day to say goodbye to his family, but instead Jeremiah retreated to the barn. He paced back and forth across the dirt floor, fighting back the tears, shaking his head, his pulse thumping in his ears. Perspiration poured from his body, his hands shook violently, then he collapsed to his knees.

Jeremiah raised his head to spot the axe hanging on the wall. Surely it hadn’t come to that. It went against everything he believed as a man, but he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. He couldn't allow himself to be taken from his family who depended on him for everything.

He took the axe from the wall, tested its edge with his thumb. He laid his muscular forearm across a stump used to kill chickens. With his other arm he raised the axe over his head.

He looked toward Heaven. “Lord, forgive me, but I see no other way to keep my family together.”

Enough said.