"Soulmates 50% off; hurry on in 'cause they're going faaast!"

Soulmates.

Two words. One thing. Or...actually a person.

Soul
Pronunciation: \ˈsōl\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English soule, from Old English sāwol; akin to Old High German sēula soul
Date: before 12th century
Definition: the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.


Mate
Pronunciation: \ˈmāt\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): mat·ed; mat·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French mater, from mat, noun, checkmate, ultimately from Arabic māt (in shāh māt)
Date: 14th century
Definition: a counterpart of one of a pair (only two of the MANY definitions!).


Then, when you put the two words together:

Soulmate

Definition: One of two persons compatible with each other in disposition, point of view, or sensitivity.

I think this idea of a soulmate is often overrated, and maybe exaggerated. Not that there aren't soulmates, but I just think people often try and find their soulmate at the wrong time. In this blogger's humble opinion, TIMING is key. Without timing a person can wander aimlessly, trying people on and getting dissappointed, breaking their heart over and over again. It becomes a habit, a lifestyle even. A way of thinking that is accepted and even encouraged. But my question is, why?

I have said it dating explained to me time in and time again. You date to "try on" people so you can figure out what qualities you like and dislike. So you can figure out what you are looking for in a future soulmate.


But I want to propose something....


What if people didn't date?

What if people waited until they were actually ready to get married, ready for the commitment, and then with an open heart and open mind, waited on what God has for them. They waited on God to bring them that special person. Waited for God to reveal His plan for their life and were confident in that. What if?

This blogger has never dated, never been kissed, and doesn't plan to until God brings me the right person. God knows exactly what I want and what I actually need in my perfect soulmate. He knows that I desire to get married and the qualities that are attractive to me. God knows what I need, so in Him I wait and am confident in His timing.

In reality, waiting is hard though. It, like I have said before, requires patience and reliance on God. Which can be hard sometimes. Almost all the time. Waiting develops us into the person God intends us to be. It builds character and tests out perserverance. It tests our morals and our minds. It tests our hearts and our will power.