Dating & Relationships

Christmas, for many of us, is a mixed bag. There’s tinsel, sparkle, Christmas parties and Ho, ho, ho. But there can be disappointment, loneliness, grief and loss too.

Last month I wrote about the Old Testament and so-called ‘biblical dating’. My conclusions were several: God will lead the process and you have the responsibility to make your own decisions. God will bring suitable people on your path, and you have to walk the path yourself and can’t stay at home hoping and waiting to meet someone.

The man or woman you think you want to spend your life with might not be the partner you actually need. I’ve learned this from my own experience and from chatting to others whose husband, wife or partner is nothing like the person they expected to end up with.

‘I’ve decided to join a dating website,’ said the Facebook post. ‘However, I’m shocked to learn that some Christian websites charge members a fee! If it’s a ministry to the church, they shouldn’t ask for money, should they?’

My husband and I chatted online for a couple of weeks and when I realised I kind of liked him, I suggested we meet up for lunch. We did, and the rest, as they say, is history. I know that for some people, two weeks may be a bit soon to meet up with someone you’re chatting with online, but here are five reasons why I think it’s better to meet up sooner rather than later.

Biblical dating doesn’t exist. Dating is something you do or not do, but it’s not a holy activity. It can be done in a biblical way in and of itself of course, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it ‘biblical dating’ because that implies it’s something more than just meeting someone.

In the second part of this two-part series, I offer some practical advice and insight into what it’s like to date as a parent. Single parenting isn’t easy and being in a relationship isn’t always easy either, but each brings great joy and combining the two can bring the same into your children’s lives.

In the second part of this 2 part post, we move on from the theory about dating a non-Christian to the real situations we face. We look at specifically helping those of us who are dating or wanting to date a non-Christian, think it through in light of their hopes for a good and God-centred romantic relationship.