I’m becoming one of those disgustingly happy people who is in constant danger of being punched in the face.

How did this happen? you may ask.

That’s a good question. And a complicated answer.

I’m not going to tell you that I met a guy, fell in love, and that it made my life perfect. The truth is, I do have a wonderful guy in my life now—we are constantly having adventures together, whether we are running around in a nature preserve, or eating in a fancy Italian restaurant. He makes me laugh until I cry every time we are together, and is just an all-around amazing person. I appreciate him so much, and recognize how very blessed I am.

And yet, he is not my number one guy. My number one guy is Christ.

It took me several relationships, and a half-year-long dating fast to get my priorities right in that regard.

That’s right. I took six months off of dating, dates, “talking”, or pursuing anything with anyone. It was hard, but great. It gave me time to think things over, work on myself, and work on my relationship with God.

I had previously struggled with my relationship with God, due to difference in opinion. I thought that I’d known exactly what was best for me, but I was wrong. The more I ignored God’s subtle call to follow His plan, the darker my outlook on life seemed to grow, and the more confused I became.

I tried to force things that weren’t meant to be. I broke my own heart. I let myself down. I felt inadequate, incomplete. That was because I was not giving God an inch to grow in me.

Now, I do. I make time to talk to Him, and attempt listen to Him, only a daily basis. I have fallen in love with the Scriptures, and read from the Bible each day.

My dating fast helped me to get back on track — to work on my goals, to become smarter and healthier, to work harder and run faster, to be the best me that I can be.

I thank God for his patience—and for running to meet me when I began to trust and allow Him to work in my life again. In a way, I am the Prodigal Daughter, but I am happy to say that I have returned to His loving arms.

Here are some lessons that I learned for my six-month dating fast:

God will never leave you empty.

He will give you joys to alleviate sorrows.

He will give you purpose when you feel emptiness.

He will show you tenderness when you feel numbness.

He will bring you intimacy in your loneliness.

He will lighten your heaviness, and brighten your gloom.

He will love you,

and as you learn to love yourself,

He will show you what kind of love you truly deserve.

Romans 5:3-5

“Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.”