*Photo Credit: Wedding Chicks
Oh, the single years.
Because I’ve only been married for three short months, my years spent as a single lady are still fresh in my mind.
The majority of my time in high school was spent single. I didn’t date – at all. In fact, I was notorious for being the girl who blew off every guy who even hinted at wanting to pursue me. (Sorry, fellas!) I was a strong, independent young woman with no time for boys.
Don’t get me wrong – waiting wasn’t easy.
I was tempted, insecure, and spent many nights confused and lonely. Though I wasn’t dating, I was constantly analyzing different friendships that I had with boys.
“Is he the one? Could I see myself with him? I could make it work, I guess…”
To God, I must have been like the kid in the backseat on a road trip constantly asking “are we there yet?!”
So many young women have adopted the same attitude when it comes to “waiting on their husbands”. And it’s just not healthy.
Single ladies, rather than sitting still and whining about having to wait, there are so many ways that you can begin to love your husband – even while you’re single.
Proverbs 31 speaks of the ideal, godly woman. Verse 12 speaks a powerful truth about loving your husband.
“She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
When it says “all the days of her life”, that includes even the days of waiting, of singleness, of being without him.
So how can you begin to love your future husband, even while you’re still single?
Write Letters To Him
Despite my difficult season of waiting, one of the disciplines that I became found of while single was writing letters to my future husband.
Writing letters to him will help you to remember that he’s not just an “idea” or “concept” that you’re waiting for, but that he’s a real person! He is real, and he is out there in the world somewhere!
*Photo Credit: Pinterest
Write about your dreams, what you want to accomplish together, the type of family you want to have, even how you cannot wait to finally be with him.
Not to mention that it makes a fantastic surprise gift for your husband that you can finally give to him once you’re married!
Not only will this help you to stay focused on loving him – even now – but it will also be something that you will both cherish for a lifetime.
Develop a Heart of Service
“…Serve one another in love.” // Galatians 5:13b (NLT)
Part of showing love, especially within a marital relationship, is through serving one another and putting each other’s needs first.
It requires sacrifice, and more than mere action. It requires a heart of service.
Some practical ways you can put this into action today is by serving your family. It will help you to overcome your pride and desire to be selfish. It will teach you to rely on the Lord for strength to love, even when it’s hard.
Pray, pray, pray
Just as God is preparing your heart to someday be united with your husband, God is also doing the same thing in the life of your future husband.
Another way to love your husband during your season of singleness is by praying for him.
A few examples of things to pray for would be his walk with Christ, his relationships, his purity, and his willingness to pursue what God is calling him to.
Not only will you be petitioning God on his behalf, but it will also allow you to start caring for his spiritual well-being.
Keep Your Eyes on Christ
Lastly, the most important way you can love your husband is by simply seeking Christ.
Think of your desire for your husband to be a man of God.
How much more do you think his desire is for you to be a woman seeking her King?
Devote yourself to prayer and to the Word. Use your gifts to grow God’s church. Be a light to the world around you.
Make your priority to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength”.
All in all, the best way to love your future husband is to first fall in love with God.
