In my 22 years, I've had my fair share of relationships. I've dated every stereotype imaginable. I've explored the world of dating, and before I fell in love with Jesus, I was game for just about anything life threw at me. Years (and guys) passed, Jesus came, and things changed. When Jesus changed my life at 18, He and I agreed I would spend time dating just Jesus for a couple years before I let someone else into the equation.

These two years were tough, y'all. Satan threw some amazing men onto my path and attempted to distract me, but Jesus protected me and helped me honor my agreement with Him. During this season of life, I spent a lot of time falling in love with Jesus and praying for the man God had for me. About a year into dating Jesus, He laid on my heart the kind of man He had planned for me. I decided to be super cliche and write "the list." Oh yes, you know the all too typical "the man I'm going to marry" list. As I wrote out the list of what Jesus laid on my heart, I grew anxious. This man was super specific. How was that even possible? This guy looked next to perfect.

After the two years were up, I began to look a lot at the men in my life, and the men who wandered into my life, looking for this list-fulfilling guy. I met so many men who were so close to "the guy" that I would think, "oh, I found him! The missing parts will just come later!" I would venture into things with him, only to have the door shut in my face. I would always look at Jesus for answers of why things didn't work out. I then would blame myself and say I wasn't good enough or I was just too broken for the guy God had for me. This continued until I did something so stupid and dangerous. I dumped the list.

Well not completely, but I lowered the standards on my lists, and when I met a guy who met those standards and liked me, I went for it. We spent almost a year together, before Jesus came in and flat out said, "break up with him, now." Oh, boy. I knew I was in trouble. This relationship hurt my walk with Christ deeply and showed me a lot about obedience and the importance of really obeying God. So, I let go of someone I allowed myself to fall for, and watched him move on just as quickly as I let go.

Talk about heartbreak. It was a super tough season of searching for the answers and trying to heal from the hurt instead of seeking Jesus. But wow, did God restore me after I repented and returned to the loving arms of my Savior. Jesus healed my heart and my mind grew at ease as I began to date Jesus again. I was settling into singleness once more, when a true redemptive, loving Jesus softly told me to look to my left. There I found a kind young man with Jesus in his heart and an eager smile on his face. He effortlessly pursued me and understood my heart. His love for the Lord was so incredible and his passion understood my own. Without a moment of time passing, without any time waiting, he fulfilled the list. Without any prompting from me, the desires placed on my heart by Jesus about my future rolled off his lips.

He talked about his desire for a huge family, his love for music and worship, his desire to serve, and his love for passionate people. His love for a person just like me. Not only does he love Jesus, but boy does he love me. Those words have never left his lips nor mine, but with other words and every action his love is shown to me all the time. He tells me I am beautiful without shame in his eyes after. He will open my car door for me, even if it's pouring rain and it means he will get soaked. He is joyfully willing to listen to my heart, my hurts, my hopes and my dreams with love in his eyes. He makes me laugh a million times more than anyone I've ever met in my entire life, and he somehow thinks I'm just as funny. Without a thought, he is always trying to show me just how much he cares for me. But the best parts? He prays with me and for me, sees my dreams and passions as valuable and supports them, and he seeks and loves Jesus way more than me.

He seeks after Jesus passionately, and he loves the church. For so long I tried to paint men into a picture they never belonged. I made excuses for them, dolled up their personality to my friends, and even lied to myself in order to find "Mr. Right," but it wasn't until I finally surrendered to God's will and His desires that I met someone who met them perfectly. I may not know what the future holds with him, but I do know who holds my future.

His name is Jesus, and from the beginning He has spoken to us about our purpose, His plan, and how to bring Him glory. The time has come to sit down, seek Jesus, and seek what His desires are for you. After you have been told, do not depart from His word. Be patient. Be expectant. Be excited. But please never depart from the path the Lord has for you. Wandering will only cause great heartbreak and deep wounds.

My prayer for you this week is to wait and to know whomever is on the other side of your waiting is a million times better than anything you have imagined him to be. Don't give up. Don't lose faith. Keep seeking Jesus wholeheartedly. Be patient and one day Jesus will reveal to you that Mr. Right is out there and oh my goodness, he is worth the wait. He is worth so much more than the wait.

Much love. Many blessings.

SammiBelle