I remember when I was a sophomore in high school. It was a week before homecoming and I didn't have a date, a dress, or any plans to attend the dance, and I was pretty bummed out. So I was sitting in my living room with my family and my dad looked at me and said, "Madison, would it be okay if I took you out on a date Saturday night?" I remember looking at him and being so excited. I had never been on a date before! "Yes!" I said. I could barely hold in my excitement. As the day grew closer my excitement grew bigger and bigger. On the Friday before, my dad gave me $50 and said go buy any outfit that you want to wear for our date tomorrow. Wow. That was the cherry on top. I remember going to the mall and walking into American Eagle (of course any 15-year-olds favorite store) and spending hours trying to find the perfect outfit. I ended up getting a pair of red shorts and a gray blouse and couldn't have been more excited. I called my dad to come pick me up from the mall. When he finally got there I hopped in the passenger seat and said that I was sorry I took so long. My dad said, "You can take all the time you need." I smiled and thought about how excited I was for the next day. When the day finally came, I slipped on my new outfit, did my hair and walked out of my room. My dad told me I looked beautiful and walked me to the car. He opened the door for me, let me get in first, and drove me to the restaurant that he had chosen for our date. It was a beautiful place right on the beach. When I went to order, my dad looked at me and said you can have anything on the menu. Wow. Those words were the way to my heart. So of course, I got the all you can eat crab legs and had a food baby for about a week after. After we finished eating, we got to watch the sunset together, laugh together, walk on the beach, and of course, take a few selfies. I remember it being one of the best nights of my life.
My dad never said this, but by his actions, it was so amazingly clear. His actions said, Madison this is your standard, and you are never ever ever allowed to be treated less than this. You are a daughter of the King of Kings and you deserve the best of the best. If the man that is with you does not treat you this way then he is not supposed to be with you. This was so profound because every little thing my dad did he reflected God's love for me. My dad was kind when he generously gave me money to go get a new outfit, he was patient when it took me a long time to buy the outfit, and he was not self-centered when he took me to a restaurant on the beach (because he knows how much I love the beach).
God does not compromise on his bride ladies, and you are so worth waiting for. You are worth the new outfit, you are worth the patience, you are worth the expensive dinner, and the time it takes to drive to the beach. You are worth the one on one time, the selfies, and the time it takes to know your heart.
It is so easy in this world to want instant gratification. I want my man now, I want a boyfriend now, I want to know who he is now. Do not settle on the qualities that you have made for your future husband. The list that I have for my future husband has no physical attributes, like skin color, big muscles, or cute hair. No. My list has heart issues. Like does he love people, does he love Jesus, is he honest, kind, and have clean humor. Because a man with a beautiful heart is what I find most attractive. If he does not have everything on that checklist then he is not the one. Becuase God has a man for you that meets everything on there and even exceeds it. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT date a guy because he has potential. You deserve a man that has already proven his character. Do not chase after a guy that does not know Jesus very well, just because he is very handsome. This is a dangerous place. You should never ever lead the man in the relationship. He is supposed to be leading you towards Christ. Do not date his potential, date the character that he has already proven.
You just have to know your worth and know you are worth the wait.
You were bought at a very very high price, so do not settle my sisters. And you deserve all of the things that it takes to win your heart. It's not about the stuff, but it is about getting the best of the best because God wants the exceptional for you. There is no desire outside of God's will that is worth it no matter how good it looks.
You are worth waiting for.
However, all of us are in different seasons of our lives. Some ladies have done things that they regret and haunt them every day of their lives. But guess what? It is never too late to walk in His purity, He loves you so much and you can be made a new creation in Him. You can be washed clean. Remember, you should not have to pursue him because you are the treasure. You are what he will be searching for.
You should be so excited for the fella that is going to get the privilege to call you his. You are worth waiting for. And let me tell ya when that guy finds ya, that is going to be one BLESSED dude.