The advice I needed to hear.
My recent engagement (woohoo!) to the man I met on CatholicMatch last year has led me down a path of self-reflection. On the night that we got engaged, my fiancé and I took a trip to my great-grandmother’s house to share the news with her. My great-grandma (lovingly called ‘Mama’ by myself and her other grandkids) is 97 years old and has been a devout Catholic all her life.
When she heard the news of our engagement, my great-grandma was ecstatic, and she gave my fiancé and me some advice that really touched my heart. She said that “The Lord will give you everything you need. He blesses you when you have faith in Him.”
She then told us the story of her marriage to my great-grandfather, who passed away many years ago, and was also a devout Catholic (and a member of the choir at the very same church we are going to marry at)! She told us that even when they started with nothing, the Lord gave them everything they needed and blessed their lives at every turn.
Aren’t her words profound, and so right?
The Lord has a plan for us all, and when we submit to Him, He will reward us with joy and prosperity. Over the past two years, I have become increasingly more devout in my faith and the practice of my religion. It started when I had the opportunity to experience a Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the first time.
Before I experienced my journey of faith, I was miserable. I had little success in my love life because I viewed every man I met as an object who might satisfy my emotional needs. In turn, men treated me like an object, and I was left feeling sad and alone in all of my relationships. When I started to explore my faith and become closer to God, I felt an instant connection that fulfilled all of my needs.
Shortly after that, I began praying the rosary every day, and then I joined CatholicMatch. I had to work on improving myself and my spiritual habits before I was ready for a relationship with a man. Building your relationship with God and yourself should always come first before you seek a romantic connection. By the time that I started dating my now-fiancé, I was actually in a strong enough spiritual place that I was able to teach him some new things about our faith. My foundation with my faith allowed both of us to put God at the center of our relationship.
When we put the Lord at the center of our lives, everything else begins to fall into place.
My favorite verse in the Bible comes from Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Although it is easy to fall into despair and sometimes blame God for the bad things that happen to us, it is important to remember that God desires the best for us in all circumstances. When we fall on difficult times, He carries us and comforts us. And when we experience good times, God blesses us and lifts us up. No matter the circumstances, we must remember to always thank God and look on the bright side. By living our lives in thanks for God and all of his Blessings, we will experience joy and prosperity.
My great-grandmother’s advice is important for all Christians to hear. I know that my decision to put God first in my life has been the cause for my successful relationship with my fiancé.
But, how can it be done, practically?
I have six simple steps to consider implementing into your own life...
- Praying every day and giving thanks to God often can really change your life. Scheduling time to pray or even setting a prayer reminder will really help change your mindset.
- Read the Bible every day. Join a Bible study or focus group at your church!
- Each day, write one thing that you are thankful for or one moment that you felt God’s presence. Keep your notes in a box and reflect on them when you feel hopeless.
- Make time to rest, relax, and take care of your body.
- Do not dwell on negative news stories or give in to vices like alcohol, drugs, or pornography.
- Be vocal about the things you are thankful for. Share your positive thoughts and feelings with others. You may see a ripple effect!
I hope these steps challenge you to explore your relationship with God and learn to let Him run your love life! Your single years can be frustrating...which makes all the more important to have Him alongside you.
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