Beauty-in the midst of ginormous rings and homework

Once you hit college and start growing up, you realize a number of things, (ladies you will all agree to these). 1) You are certain that your future spouse in on Mars...or maybe even planet Z?? (I'm hoping that exists haha, but don't quote me on it!) 2) You are surrounded by ROCKS weighing down the hands of girls...wedding fever seems like the spanish influenza. and 3) If you're anything like me...you begin to notice just how many couples actually surround you in a day...um, let's just say you cannot count them on your fingers and toes! :) You may be asking..."why Tiffanie, are you writing such obvious and even cruel descriptions to those of us who long for that beautiful happily ever after?" Because, I believe that joyfully ever afters are worth waiting for:) Let me tell you a little story of a girl named Abigail.

One day, Abigail, a wise and incredibley strong woman of God...met a guy. We'll call him Rob. Abigail really liked Rob and knew that God may have placed him in her life. So...they became a couple, going to church together, going on dates and falling in love. A year goes by...and all of Abigail's time and enerygy are spent. Emotionally, physically, she has already compromised too much and Rob doesn't seem to notice. Her heart aches and she pulls herself away slowly..only to realize the girl in the mirror was never who God intended her to be. So she weeps on her knees, and Christ swoops in, dusts off her knees, and tells her..."Daughter, this is a battle I never meant for you to face. Please, give this to me." And she does. Oh sure...Rob is hurt at first, but he'll move on...to the girl he talked about to Abigail or the nice co worker he seemed to take an interest in. And Abigail will walk on, undusted and beautiful with Jesus by her side. While Jesus holds the pen, she vows to keep her heart safe, locked up in her soul, until her husband takes her hand, looks lovingly into her eyes and says, "It's you. I will love and cherish you only, as my beloved bride, until the day I die." And they will live, joyfully ever after:)

Now guys, don't take offense to my story! I know it is just as easy for ladies to be the "Rob" in this story. I am in no way picking on you fella's...it's just easier to relate from that perspective. (so please dudes, no hate mail:)

What I want to get across to you dear friends is this...Love will never survive by earthly standards. It just can't. You cannot have a relationship with someone else without the Creator of Romance scripting it! Trust me when I say this, you won't end up as Cinderella or Prince Charming. God knows just who fits you, who will be the lifelong partner, friend and teammate to what you will face ahead. He knows your desires, your fears and flaws, and knows that there is someone out there waiting to love every bit of them! Your past may haunt you, your heart may tell you to just run, you may even believe the lies of Satan telling your not good enough, but please, listen to the Father. The giver and creator of love. God is love.

You are all made beautiful and precious in the eyes of the Father. And that is sufficient for me for a lifetime!! Knowing God loves me is better than romance and getting married (although don't get me wrong, I DO want those things)...but I believe what Romans 8:28 says; "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." Notice that doesn't say he works in somethings...in all things!!! That breakup that wrecked you? God is working in it. That mistake that haunts you? God is working through it. Those friday nights you spend alone with Ben and Jerry's and NCIS? God is working through it and your Phish Food ice cream;) That beautiful relationship you may already be in? I pray that God is doing great things with it! You see, our relationships shouldn't soley be the focus of two people...but the focus of two people, serving the Lord, fully with love and joy. That can be done in marriage and in dating and even being single! With God at the center..you will reach people, serve others, love others and begin to see your joyfully ever after being written in His timing.

So forget about Prince Charming and his white stallion or Cinderella and her glass slipper...Sit at the feet of Jesus, give Him all you have to give, and He will have His way. And that, my friends, is the most beautiful love story of all.

Hope this makes some of your days a little bit brighter, know God has a plan for you and your hearts. Love you!